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ETNA VOLCANO PHOTOS

- Impressions from Etna's new flank eruption in July/August 2001 -

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26 July: lavaflow at La Sapienza tourist station

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Left: Journalists on the artificial dam built to protect La Sapienza while a huge lava flow is approaching it. Center/ right: Bulldozer try to dig dams and channels for the appraoching flow.

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In a desperate attempt, bulldozer try to build a new dam across the parking lot, few minutes before the arrival of the lava flow. The flow has overtopped a dam and makes its way onto a dirt road.

Lava destroying the parking lot.


26 July: lava at La Sapienza

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Media spectators and the huge lava flow passing through La Sapienza.

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Bulldozers are continuing thier work all night.

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The lava flow from the 2500m vent (above right, middle picture) descends the former ski run, destroying several pylons of the cable car.


27 July: the 2100m vent

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The fissure at 2100m elevation below the Montagnola is now buried under a small pyroclastic cone which continues to be active, with moderate spattering from 2 vents and effusion of a 5m wide lava flow. 

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Spattering from 2 vents. Explosion from the lower vent Lava flow
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Lava flows from the 2500m and 2100m vents.

28 July: Cono del Lago

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Ocasionally, explosions occur from a vent on the NW flank of the young cone.

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2 views from similar points showing the growth of the cone between 24 and 28 July. By 28 July, it had reached over 100m height !

 
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Again: dusk and night time impressions... Active flank vent on last picture.

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Cono del Lago in strombolian activity with Catania in the background.

Spattering and an emerging lava flow from the newly active hornitos at 2950m elevation between SEC (faintly visible silhuette in upper half of left picture) and TdF.


29 July: night views

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Active hornitos and lava flow (that had started on 28 July) from the 2950m eruptive fissure vents below the SE crater.

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Views from the terrace of the still undisturbed Torre del Filosofo...:
- L.: vent at 2700m (left), fissure and Cono del Lago at 2500m (center) and lava flows into Valle del Bove (left) and towards Monte Nero degli Zappini (right). - M.: eruptive fissure at 2500m elevation. - R.: 2700m cone with 5 active vents.

Cono del Lago (2500m) with lights of Catania in background

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Strong strombolian activity and sporadic fountaining at Cono del Lago.
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Cono del Lago and a lava flow.

Hornitos on the 2700m eruptive fissure. A small chimney ejecting a jet of hot gas and occasionally lava fragments is seen left of the big hornito (left picture). the bright white spot comes from another incandescent chimney in the background.

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Strombolian activity in moonlight at the 2700m cone near Belvedere.

 

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