Erta Ale Volcano Nov 2010: Overflowing Lava Lake

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.

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A first view of the south crater on 25 Nov 2010, from the western caldera wall. The crater is largely filled with overflows from the lava lake, and the lower northern rim of the crater has diappeared under overflows. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

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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A recent overflow of lava from the lake (probably dated 24 Nov) almost reached the western caldera wall (left in picture). (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

A recent overflow of lava from the lake (probably dated 24 Nov) almost reached the western caldera w... [info]
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The fresh, black and glassy tip of the most recent overflow in contrast on the older lava covering the caldera floor. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

The fresh, black and glassy tip of the most recent overflow in contrast on the older lava covering t... [info]
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View from the higher, still existing southern crater rim towards the center of the crater, where a ca. 5 m high ring wall contains the lava lake. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

View from the higher, still existing southern crater rim towards the center of the crater, where a c... [info]
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View of our old favourite observation spot on the S rim near the spot where the rim has been flooded. The lava has risen 20 m since last November and is now at the same level, but mostly hidden behind the ring wall. A better view is from the cone south of the crater. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

View of our old favourite observation spot on the S rim near the spot where the rim has been flooded... [info]
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While the lava inside the ring wall is hidden from the northern rim, it is barely visible from the little cinder cone south of the crater. View is to the north across the south crater. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

While the lava inside the ring wall is hidden from the northern rim, it is barely visible from the l... [info]
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View of the lava lake standing relatively low inside the ring wall. Another group in the background on the caldera wall. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

View of the lava lake standing relatively low inside the ring wall. Another group in the background ... [info]
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The lava in the lake has risen and is violently boiling. In intervals of about 20-30 minutes, the level of the lava periodically rises and falls, corresponding to periods of stronger and weaker degassing. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

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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The ring wall is constantly being built higher, as fountains throw lava up, some of which lands on the wall. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

The ring wall is constantly being built higher, as fountains throw lava up, some of which lands on t... [info]
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Sometimes, large quantities of lava are thrown outside the wall creating small secondary flows. Bursting lava bubbles are torn into thin threads, Pele's hair. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Sometimes, large quantities of lava are thrown outside the wall creating small secondary flows. Burs... [info]
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On 25 Nov, the lava level often rises to the rim of the ring wall, then descends again. Large spectacular bubbles burst. Note the intense heat blur and the formation of Pele's hair. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

On 25 Nov, the lava level often rises to the rim of the ring wall, then descends again. Large specta... [info]
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The strong lava glow becomes visible in the evening. Viewpoint is from the southern rim (25 Nov) (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

The strong lava glow becomes visible in the evening. Viewpoint is from the southern rim (25 Nov) (Ph... [info]
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At night, the lava level rises enough to produce small overflows to the E. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Another small overflow to the N happens shortly afterwards. A much larger flow like that occurs later at night around 2 am, when most of us were sleeping... (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Another small overflow to the N happens shortly afterwards. A much larger flow like that occurs late... [info]
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The boiling surface of the lava lake immediately after the small overflows. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Exploding bubbles at night are too bright for photos. Much of the bubble of lava ends outside the ring wall and forms a small overflow. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Exploding bubbles at night are too bright for photos. Much of the bubble of lava ends outside the ri... [info]
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