12 May 2011: Huge Paroxysm at South East CraterDuring the first half of 2011, every 4-7 weeks, Etna had episodes of lava fountaining lasting more than 3 hours at the pit crater on the south-eastern side of South East Cone. Each episode was preceded by some days of increasing strombolian activity within the same pit, thus allowing Marco to hurry to Sicily just in time to glimpse the spectacular eruptive activity in the dawn of May 12th. Extremely strong and cold northern winds prevented a close approach to the vent. Therefore all photos below were taken from a distance of about 3km on Schiena dell'Asino, about 500m outside an intense shower of cm-sized lapilli. The focal length of the used lenses is given (DSLR, 16x24mm sensor). All times are local (GMT +2hr). | |||
 f=135mm. We reach Schiena dell'Asino at about 1am: a lava flow emerges from the pit. |  f=300mm. Occasionally huge magma bubbles shower the flank of the pit crater. |  f=300mm. At about 3am, the strommbolian activity turns into spectacular lava fountaining. |  f=300mm. Zoom on the lava fountains: the short exposure freezes the flying lava blocks. |
 f=50mm. As soon as the fountains start the lava flows quickly advance in Valle del Bove. |  f=300mm. Zoom on the highly fluid fronts of the lava flows in Valle del Bove. |  f=135mm. Snow on Pizzi Deneri (upper right) is illuminetd by the incadescense of the lava. |  f=10.5mm. At dawn, the eruptive column dominates the morning sky (Taormina and Giarre at right). |
 f=50mm. 500m tall fountains in the blue morning sky. |  f=135mm. Lava blocks roll and shatter on the slopes of Valle del Bove. |  f=135mm. Later on the fountains are dimmed by the thick smoke rising from the flows. |  f=35mm. At sunrise (6am) the activity is waning. |
 A small bomb impacted on snow. |  Three bombs have caused impact craters which expose old snow layers below the recent ash deposit. |  Very large impact crater in which the bomb is burried under several meters of ash. |  The same impact crater as in the previous photo; South East Cone in the background. |
| Copyright: M. Fulle. | |||