Pyroclastic flows in Tar River Valley (27 - 29 Jan 2010) | |||
 A massive pyroclastic flow suddenly turns towards the hill in its path (at left). |  The obstacle forces the flow to rise in a spectacular surge of incandescent ash. |  While the flow opens its way to the left, the surge rises one kilometer into the sky. |  Further pyroclastic avalanches feed the flow towards the sea. |
 Tourists observe the flow's advancing front from a helicopter. |  Abandoned houses in the foreground give an impression of the flow's considerable size. |  After a few minutes, an even bigger pyroclastic flow descends through the Tar River Valley. |  The front of this flow reaches the sea at the Tar River delta. |
 Another big pyroclastic flow uplifts billowing ash clouds. |  Spectacular structures shaped by heat and convection in the ash cloud. |  Striking contrast between billowing ash and steam coming from the sea entrance. |  The end of the world: the dome disappears in a chaos of ash and steam. |
| Photos by Marco Fulle taken with 50mm and 135mm lenses (reflex digicam with 16x24mm sensor). | |||