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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(2704 Hits)
A recent overflow of lava from the lake (probably dated 24 Nov) almost reached the western caldera w... [info]
(2421 Hits)
(2421 Hits)
The fresh, black and glassy tip of the most recent overflow in contrast on the older lava covering t... [info]
(2228 Hits)
(2228 Hits)
View from the higher, still existing southern crater rim towards the center of the crater, where a c... [info]
(1968 Hits)
(1968 Hits)
View of our old favourite observation spot on the S rim near the spot where the rim has been flooded... [info]
(1727 Hits)
(1727 Hits)
While the lava inside the ring wall is hidden from the northern rim, it is barely visible from the l... [info]
(1868 Hits)
(1868 Hits)
View of the lava lake standing relatively low inside the ring wall. Another group in the background ... [info]
(1642 Hits)
(1642 Hits)
The lava in the lake has risen and is violently boiling. In intervals of about 20-30 minutes, the le... [info]
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(2106 Hits)
The ring wall is constantly being built higher, as fountains throw lava up, some of which lands on t... [info]
(2155 Hits)
(2155 Hits)
Sometimes, large quantities of lava are thrown outside the wall creating small secondary flows. Burs... [info]
(2510 Hits)
(2510 Hits)
On 25 Nov, the lava level often rises to the rim of the ring wall, then descends again. Large specta... [info]
(5515 Hits)
(5515 Hits)
The strong lava glow becomes visible in the evening. Viewpoint is from the southern rim (25 Nov) (Ph... [info]
(3097 Hits)
(3097 Hits)
At night, the lava level rises enough to produce small overflows to the E. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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(2117 Hits)
Another small overflow to the N happens shortly afterwards. A much larger flow like that occurs late... [info]
(2597 Hits)
(2597 Hits)
The boiling surface of the lava lake immediately after the small overflows. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(1832 Hits)
(1832 Hits)
Exploding bubbles at night are too bright for photos. Much of the bubble of lava ends outside the ri... [info]
(2970 Hits)
(2970 Hits)
