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]
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(2828 Hits)
A recent overflow of lava from the lake (probably dated 24 Nov) almost reached the western caldera w... [info]
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(2507 Hits)
The fresh, black and glassy tip of the most recent overflow in contrast on the older lava covering t... [info]
(2324 Hits)
(2324 Hits)
View from the higher, still existing southern crater rim towards the center of the crater, where a c... [info]
(2052 Hits)
(2052 Hits)
View of our old favourite observation spot on the S rim near the spot where the rim has been flooded... [info]
(1799 Hits)
(1799 Hits)
While the lava inside the ring wall is hidden from the northern rim, it is barely visible from the l... [info]
(1941 Hits)
(1941 Hits)
View of the lava lake standing relatively low inside the ring wall. Another group in the background ... [info]
(1706 Hits)
(1706 Hits)
The lava in the lake has risen and is violently boiling. In intervals of about 20-30 minutes, the le... [info]
(2181 Hits)
(2181 Hits)
The ring wall is constantly being built higher, as fountains throw lava up, some of which lands on t... [info]
(2239 Hits)
(2239 Hits)
Sometimes, large quantities of lava are thrown outside the wall creating small secondary flows. Burs... [info]
(2592 Hits)
(2592 Hits)
On 25 Nov, the lava level often rises to the rim of the ring wall, then descends again. Large specta... [info]
(6045 Hits)
(6045 Hits)
The strong lava glow becomes visible in the evening. Viewpoint is from the southern rim (25 Nov) (Ph... [info]
(3341 Hits)
(3341 Hits)
At night, the lava level rises enough to produce small overflows to the E. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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(2203 Hits)
Another small overflow to the N happens shortly afterwards. A much larger flow like that occurs late... [info]
(2753 Hits)
(2753 Hits)
The boiling surface of the lava lake immediately after the small overflows. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(1909 Hits)
(1909 Hits)
Exploding bubbles at night are too bright for photos. Much of the bubble of lava ends outside the ri... [info]
(3065 Hits)
(3065 Hits)
