Etna New SE crater paroxysm 10-11 Nov 2013: strombolian activity
Etna had one of her largest paroxysms in recent years during 10-11 November 2013 during which she produced intense lava fountains and rivers of lava. However, being a capricious Sicilian woman, she only let people see the very beginning and the end of it, and hid herself in a large snow storm during the main phase of the eruption.
Tom and Ingrid faced strong the winds and cold from a viewpoint on Valle del Bove in order to observe the (still spectacular) strombolian activity at the New SE crater that preceded and followed the main phase of the eruption, as well as a surprise: some of the most beautiful smoke rings ever (see separate gallery).
Tom and Ingrid faced strong the winds and cold from a viewpoint on Valle del Bove in order to observe the (still spectacular) strombolian activity at the New SE crater that preceded and followed the main phase of the eruption, as well as a surprise: some of the most beautiful smoke rings ever (see separate gallery).

In the evening of 10 Nov, strombolian explosions at the New SE crater occur every few seconds. (Phot... [info]
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For hours, this strombolian activity remains almost stable and increases only very slowly. (Photo: T... [info]
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Strong southwesterly winds push almost all bombs to the eastern side of the New SE crater.
Aft... [info]
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Aft... [info]
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The next afternoon (12 Nov), the upper slopes of Etna are all white with snow. The main phase of the... [info]
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At dusk, glow and some bombs becomes visible during the explosions at the NSEC. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer... [info]
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The darker it gets, the more impressive the glow from the lava becomes. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Finally, the mist layer starts to disappear, as the explosions seem to be becoming stronger, too. (P... [info]
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Some of the eruptions are from giant gas bubbles that explode at the top of the magma column inside ... [info]
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Mist comes and goes to partially hide the New SE crater from view. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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A particularly large explosion occurred during this exposure at the beginning of nightfall. (Photo: ... [info]
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For a short time, the mist blocking the view has disappeared, allowing a nice contrast of the white ... [info]
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After sunset, the average size of explosions temporarily increases (before gradually decreasing agai... [info]
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Tall strombolian explosion at the New SE crater and the snow-covered eastern headwall of the Valle d... [info]
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Explosion of a magma bubble and the headwall of the Valle del Bove in moonlight. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffe... [info]
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View over the Valle del Bove from Schiena dell'Asino with the erupting New SE crater. (Photo: Tom Pf... [info]
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Mist starts to cover the cone again partially and Ponente wind is picking up again. Time to say good... [info]
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