16 - 24 May 2008: Fissure eruption in Valle del BoveAfter a paroxysm at South East Crater (SEC) on 10 May 2008, a new SSW-NNE oriented dike split SEC and propagated into the upper parts of Valle del Bove on 13 May. The activity started with a spectacular hawaiian eruption of very fluid lava along a fissure 1 km long at altitudes between 2800 and 2900m.a.s.l. During the following days the activity declined into small lava flows and mild strombolian spattering. 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). | |||
 16 May, 23h, f=135mm. Lava flows and spattering from the new fissure, as seen from the NE rim of Valle del Bove. SEC at upper left.
|  16 May, 23h, f=10mm. Valle del Bove from Monte Zoccolaro (left) to Pizzi Deneri (right). Below the moon's halo is the cooling lava flow front.
|  24 May, 18h, f=10mm. Between the blocks which were uplifted when the fissure opened: in the background a burst of lava from the most active vent.
|  24 May, 18h, f=135mm. Zoom on the active vent only about 50m away, jetting sprays of fluid lava up to 100m high into the air.
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 24 May, 19h, f=10mm. Carmelo Monaco and friends from Catania University observe Etna's renewed active.
|  24 May, 19h, f=50mm. During the strongest activity a second vent at right also ejects a few lapilli.
|  24 May, 19h, f=10mm. Tobias (VolcanoDiscovery Team) enjoys his first experience of an ongoing eruption.
|  24 May, 20h, f=28mm. After sunset mild spattering continuous from the vent. Pizzi Deneri at upper left.
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 24 May, 20h, f=28mm. A third vent, at the extreme left, erupts ash which is drifted towards East by the prevailing wind.
|  24 May, 21h, f=28mm. Every ten minutes strong strombolian bursts trigger the activity of the right vent.
|  24 May, 21h, f=28mm. Mild continuous spattering. Taormina (right) and Calabria (at the horizon) in the background.
|  24 May, 21h, f=28mm. The Grand Finale: during this impressive eruption all three vents launch incadescent bombs high up into the sky.
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| Copyright: M. Fulle. | |||