Anak Krakatau Eruption July 2009: Vulcanian Explosions

Anak Krakatau eruption July 2009: vulcanian explosions

After a 36 hrs pause in activity between the evening of 30 June and the morning of 2 July, Anak Krakatau started again with powerful vulcanian explosions. The largest of these explosions were preceded by an inflation and shaking of the active cone or lava dome, triggering rock-slides from its flanks, until the plug gave way in giant explosions ejecting a rapdly expanding mass of red-hot lava, solid rocks, and large amounts of ash, forming plumes of up to 2 km heights. See also this page.

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Zoom onto the expanding ejected plug of the explosion; only few of the blocks are actually glowing red. At night, this means that most blocks won't be visible! (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Zoom onto the expanding ejected plug of the explosion; only few of the blocks are actually glowing r... [info]
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The ash cloud expands and small pyroclastic flows develop from dense ash both ejected and whirled up by impacts on the upper flanks of the cone. (Photo: Jorge Santos)

The ash cloud expands and small pyroclastic flows develop from dense ash both ejected and whirled up... [info]
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The probably most violent explosion occurs on the afternoon of July 3rd. This explosion throws blocks to greater distances than all other observed explosions. On our boat at around 500m distance from the shore, we now have to escape very quickly... (which is why the series is incomplete). (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

The probably most violent explosion occurs on the afternoon of July 3rd. This explosion throws block... [info]
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A barrage of bombs hits the water, some quite far from the shore. (Photo: Iris Karinkanta) [info]
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When the most powerful of explosions occurs on the afternoon of 3 July, we need to make a quick escape with the boat, because bombs and blaocks fall several hundred meters from shore. We manage to increase our distance quickly by more than 200 meters; nevertheless, few blocks still land around the boat. Due to the circumstances, the movement and suddenly finding myself on the wrong side of the boat... framing of photos was not easy, but the spashes of many blocks landing in the water where we just were are barely visible. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

When the most powerful of explosions occurs on the afternoon of 3 July, we need to make a quick esca... [info]
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Blocks landing in the water from a different (smaller) explosion. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Eruption of Anak Kraktau with the moon-lit sky. Trees on the outer slope of the old crater of Anak Krakatau form a silhouette against the eruption. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Eruption of Anak Kraktau with the moon-lit sky. Trees on the outer slope of the old crater of Anak K... [info]
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Glowing blocks during an eruption seen from Anak Krakatau against a moon-lit sky. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Glowing blocks during an eruption seen from Anak Krakatau against a moon-lit sky. (Photo: Tom Pfeiff... [info]
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A powerful vulcanian eruption from Anak Krakatau in the evening (ca. 19h00 local time) of the 2nd July throws blocks all over the cone and the old crater rim; many blocks also land into the water. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

A powerful vulcanian eruption from Anak Krakatau in the evening (ca. 19h00 local time) of the 2nd Ju... [info]
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The ash cloud from the previous eruption is illuminated by the setting sun while the crater erupts a weak plume of ash. (Photo: Jorge Santos)

The ash cloud from the previous eruption is illuminated by the setting sun while the crater erupts a... [info]
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Ash emission at night. 10 seconds later, it's raining ash where the camera is... (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Ash emission at night. 10 seconds later, it's raining ash where the camera is... (Photo: Tom Pfeiffe... [info]
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Ash plume drifting over us against a full-moon lit sky. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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A tree silhouetted against the moon and an eruption from Anak Kraktau, seen from the trail leading up to the old crater rim. (Photo: Jorge Santos)

A tree silhouetted against the moon and an eruption from Anak Kraktau, seen from the trail leading u... [info]
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Typical vulcanian explosion at night (5 July 09) (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Ash cloud erupted at night. (Photo: Jorge Santos) [info]
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During a quiet interval, turbulence forms a miniature tornado carrying loose ash into the air from the base of the crater. (Photo: Jorge Santos)

During a quiet interval, turbulence forms a miniature tornado carrying loose ash into the air from t... [info]
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Anak Krakatau eruption July 2009: vulcanian explosions

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