Etna volcano (Italy), SE crater paroxysm nr 16, 8 Oct 2011
During the Stromboli to Etna tour, Tom and his small group were lucky to be able to watch the 16th paroxysm of the New SE crater of Etna volcano from close range. Despite the bad weather, witnessing the eruption with its incredible sounds is an experience one never forgets.
As we arrive on Belvedere at around 1pm the New SE crater and the old SE crater behind are still qui... [info]
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Soon, we can see lava bombs from strombolian activity inside the New SE crater. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer... [info]
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As the fissure starts to open up further, rockfalls are triggered on the steep western wall of the i... [info]
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Etna mountain guide Andrea Ercolani with his group arrives on the scene when a lava flow emerges fro... [info]
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A small fountain of liquid lava appears at the lower end of the fissure feeding the lava flow. (Phot... [info]
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A large lava ball detaches from the advancing lava flow. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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The lava fountain increases and a second vent opens up a few meters down along the fissure. The lava... [info]
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At about 3pm, the lower part of the fissure emits a low curtain of fire from several vents on the fi... [info]
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The last moments the eruption is visible, before clouds and a hail storm set in... (Photo: Tom Pfeif... [info]
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The advancing front of the lava flow. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Lava watchers observing the lava flow. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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A patch of snow from the previous cold night and the edge of the lava flow from the eruption. (Photo... [info]
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"Eruption party" - despite the clouds and hail we're in, we're excited about the noises of the lava ... [info]
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At around 5pm, the weather starts to clear, and the dark ash cloud emitted from the crater and drift... [info]
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Bluish gas from SO2 drifting beneath the dark ash plume mixes with white steam and the clouds. (Phot... [info]
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Tom taking the pictures on this page... and making some publicity for this website;-) (Photo: E. Car... [info]
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