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]
(2002 Hits)
(2002 Hits)
Soon, we can see lava bombs from strombolian activity inside the New SE crater. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer... [info]
(947 Hits)
(947 Hits)
As the fissure starts to open up further, rockfalls are triggered on the steep western wall of the i... [info]
(1051 Hits)
(1051 Hits)
Etna mountain guide Andrea Ercolani with his group arrives on the scene when a lava flow emerges fro... [info]
(2302 Hits)
(2302 Hits)
A small fountain of liquid lava appears at the lower end of the fissure feeding the lava flow. (Phot... [info]
(1752 Hits)
(1752 Hits)
A large lava ball detaches from the advancing lava flow. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(1824 Hits)
(1824 Hits)
The lava fountain increases and a second vent opens up a few meters down along the fissure. The lava... [info]
(2491 Hits)
(2491 Hits)
At about 3pm, the lower part of the fissure emits a low curtain of fire from several vents on the fi... [info]
(2729 Hits)
(2729 Hits)
The last moments the eruption is visible, before clouds and a hail storm set in... (Photo: Tom Pfeif... [info]
(2085 Hits)
(2085 Hits)
The advancing front of the lava flow. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(1703 Hits)
(1703 Hits)
Lava watchers observing the lava flow. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(2409 Hits)
(2409 Hits)
A patch of snow from the previous cold night and the edge of the lava flow from the eruption. (Photo... [info]
(1682 Hits)
(1682 Hits)
"Eruption party" - despite the clouds and hail we're in, we're excited about the noises of the lava ... [info]
(1210 Hits)
(1210 Hits)
At around 5pm, the weather starts to clear, and the dark ash cloud emitted from the crater and drift... [info]
(1599 Hits)
(1599 Hits)
Bluish gas from SO2 drifting beneath the dark ash plume mixes with white steam and the clouds. (Phot... [info]
(1764 Hits)
(1764 Hits)
Tom taking the pictures on this page... and making some publicity for this website;-) (Photo: E. Car... [info]
(1051 Hits)
(1051 Hits)
