Erta Ale volcano Nov 2010: overflowing lava lake
VolcanoDiscovery stayed on Erta Ale between 25 and 28 November. We were surprised to find the south crater filled with fresh flows, and the lava lake overflowing onto the caldera. The following photos, arranged in chronological order, give an impression of the activity and the changes of the lava lake in the south crater.
A first view of the south crater on 25 Nov 2010, from the western caldera wall. The crater is largel... [info]
(2727 Hits)
(2727 Hits)
A recent overflow of lava from the lake (probably dated 24 Nov) almost reached the western caldera w... [info]
(2438 Hits)
(2438 Hits)
The fresh, black and glassy tip of the most recent overflow in contrast on the older lava covering t... [info]
(2248 Hits)
(2248 Hits)
View from the higher, still existing southern crater rim towards the center of the crater, where a c... [info]
(1988 Hits)
(1988 Hits)
View of our old favourite observation spot on the S rim near the spot where the rim has been flooded... [info]
(1742 Hits)
(1742 Hits)
While the lava inside the ring wall is hidden from the northern rim, it is barely visible from the l... [info]
(1885 Hits)
(1885 Hits)
View of the lava lake standing relatively low inside the ring wall. Another group in the background ... [info]
(1654 Hits)
(1654 Hits)
The lava in the lake has risen and is violently boiling. In intervals of about 20-30 minutes, the le... [info]
(2120 Hits)
(2120 Hits)
The ring wall is constantly being built higher, as fountains throw lava up, some of which lands on t... [info]
(2172 Hits)
(2172 Hits)
Sometimes, large quantities of lava are thrown outside the wall creating small secondary flows. Burs... [info]
(2527 Hits)
(2527 Hits)
On 25 Nov, the lava level often rises to the rim of the ring wall, then descends again. Large specta... [info]
(5587 Hits)
(5587 Hits)
The strong lava glow becomes visible in the evening. Viewpoint is from the southern rim (25 Nov) (Ph... [info]
(3128 Hits)
(3128 Hits)
At night, the lava level rises enough to produce small overflows to the E. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(2132 Hits)
(2132 Hits)
Another small overflow to the N happens shortly afterwards. A much larger flow like that occurs late... [info]
(2614 Hits)
(2614 Hits)
The boiling surface of the lava lake immediately after the small overflows. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(1846 Hits)
(1846 Hits)
Exploding bubbles at night are too bright for photos. Much of the bubble of lava ends outside the ri... [info]
(2991 Hits)
(2991 Hits)
