Etna: Paroxysm of 28 February 2013

Photos of the magnificent paroxysm of 28 February observed with Axel and Tom from the northern slope of Monte Barbagallo, 1km south of the active vent. The focal length of the camera lenses is given with each photo (DSLR, 16x24mm sensor). All times are local (GMT + 1hr).

Etna: Paroxysm of 28 February 2013
11.01am, f=50mm. Strombolian activity at the New South-East Cone and lava flow towards the East (right).
Etna: Paroxysm of 28 February 2013
11.17am, f=135mm. Lava fountains rise from the saddle between the old and new South-East Cones.
Etna: Paroxysm of 28 February 2013
11.17am, f=135mm. Jets of fluid, incadescent lava from the summit vent (right).
Etna: Paroxysm of 28 February 2013
11.19am, f=20mm. The third vent on the eastern slope explodes impressive lava bubbles.
Etna: Paroxysm of 28 February 2013
11.30am, f=50mm. A lava flow from the saddle vent reaches the snow, causing violent phreatic explosions.
Etna: Paroxysm of 28 February 2013
11.32am, f=10mm. Lava fountains increase in height as the lava flow turns right towards Belvedere.
Etna: Paroxysm of 28 February 2013
11.33am, f=20mm. Bigger and bigger fountains cover Sudestino crater with metre-sized bombs.
Etna: Paroxysm of 28 February 2013
11.34am, f=10mm. Axel and Tom are worried by the eruptive column rising several kilometres into the sky.
Etna: Paroxysm of 28 February 2013
11.36am, f=135mm. Zoom on the incandescent core of the lava fountain. Old SE Cone at left.
Etna: Paroxysm of 28 February 2013
11.37am, f=135mm. Zoom on the lava fountain rising many hundred metres above us.
Etna: Paroxysm of 28 February 2013
11.43am, f=135mm. Axel evades falling lava bombs and a wall of black lava rising into the sky.
Etna: Paroxysm of 28 February 2013
11.45am, f=135mm. The sky seems devided into two halves: cold blue on the left, hot black on the right.
Etna: Paroxysm of 28 February 2013
11.48am, f=10mm. Strong convective motion in the eruptive column above the Ionian Sea.
Etna: Paroxysm of 28 February 2013
11.49am, f=20mm. Ash emission near the end of the paroxysm; steam in the foreground is caused by lava flowing over snow.
Etna: Paroxysm of 28 February 2013
11.52am, f=135mm. Brief phase of phreatomagmatic activity: lava and ice blocks trailing steam.
Etna: Paroxysm of 28 February 2013
11.52am, f=135mm. The phreatomagmatic activity is probably due by the collapse of buried snow and ice into the active vent.
Photos Copyright Marco Fulle