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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(992 Hits)

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 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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(2952 Hits)

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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(3193 Hits)

The last moments the eruption is visible, before clouds and a hail storm set in... (Photo: Tom Pfeif... [info]
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(2130 Hits)

Lava watchers observing the lava flow. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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(2704 Hits)

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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(2026 Hits)

"Eruption party" - despite the clouds and hail we're in, we're excited about the noises of the lava ... [info]
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(1257 Hits)

At around 5pm, the weather starts to clear, and the dark ash cloud emitted from the crater and drift... [info]
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(1956 Hits)
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