13 June 2008: Strong Activity at the Fissure in Valle del Bove

After 8 June 2008, the activity at the E-W oriented eruptive fissure in upper Valle del Bove increased. Marco Fulle led a VolcanoDiscovery group on the evening of 13 June 2008 when the most active vent displayed very strong strombolian activity reaching altitudes of several hundred meters above the vents. All times are local (GMT + 2hr). The focal length of the lenses used on a digicam is given (to be multiplied by 1.5 to obtain the equivalent focal length on 24x36 film).

13 June 2008: Strong Activity at the Fissure in Valle del Bove
12h, f=10mm. Etna Guide Rosario Basile near the eruptive fissure.
13 June 2008: Strong Activity at the Fissure in Valle del Bove
12h, f=200mm. Ash eruptions during a phase of increasing activity.
13 June 2008: Strong Activity at the Fissure in Valle del Bove
12h, f=200mm. Fountains of meter-sized lava clots and ash column.
13 June 2008: Strong Activity at the Fissure in Valle del Bove
18h, f=200mm. During sunset exploding lava bubbles clear the vent.
13 June 2008: Strong Activity at the Fissure in Valle del Bove
19h, f=28mm. Moderate spattering at the fissure, with Pizzi Deneri in the left background.
13 June 2008: Strong Activity at the Fissure in Valle del Bove
20h, f=50mm. A longer exposure photo from a distance of 250m reveals strombolian activity at two vents.
13 June 2008: Strong Activity at the Fissure in Valle del Bove
20h, f=28mm. Suddenly the activity strongly increases. A lava flow appears at lower right.
13 June 2008: Strong Activity at the Fissure in Valle del Bove
20h, f=28mm. For safety reasons Rosario orders the group to withdraw 500 metres from the vent.
13 June 2008: Strong Activity at the Fissure in Valle del Bove
20h, f=28mm. Despite the greater distance from the crater some bombs fly over our heads (note falling bomb at upper right!).
13 June 2008: Strong Activity at the Fissure in Valle del Bove
20h, f=28mm. A wonderful strombolian eruption takes place with the Strait of Messina in the right background.
13 June 2008: Strong Activity at the Fissure in Valle del Bove
21h, f=28mm. A new lava flow advances quickly into Valle del Bove. Taormina and Calabria in the left background.
13 June 2008: Strong Activity at the Fissure in Valle del Bove
21h, f=50mm. After one hour the activity subsides, but the eruptions still reach altitudes of 200m above the vents.
Copyright: M. Fulle.