12 Aug 2011: Tenth Paroxysm of 2011 at South East CraterTo observe the tenth paroxysm, Marco selected a spot on the eastern side of the North-East Crater, close to the 2008 eruptive fissure, at less than one km from the New South-east Crater. This position gave a perfect view of the fountains rising from the eruptive fissure in the dominant wind from North-West. The focal length of the used lenses is given (DSLR, 16x24mm sensor). All times are local (GMT +2hr). Special thanks to the Guide Etna Sud and Funivia dell'Etna for the logistic support during the days spent on Etna. | |||
 f=10.5mm, 7h45pm (11 Aug). Shadow of Etna before a night waiting for the paroxysm. |  f=24mm, 10h10am (12 Aug). Strombolian activity increases at the beginning of the paroxysm. |  f=85mm, 10h50am. Gradually, strombolian bursts become continuous lava fountains. |  f=135mm, 11h05am. Countless bomb impacts generate ash clouds on the crater flanks. |
 f=300mm, 10h45am. Zoom on the violent jets of liquid lava in the fountains. |  f=10.5mm, 10h50am. The eruptive ash column rises for kilometers and eclipses the Sun! |  f=70mm, 11h00am. Lava fountains increase as a cameraman approaches the eruptive fissure. |  f=135mm, 11h15am. Suddenly another fountain rises on the left of the main one. |
 f=135mm, 11h05am. With an impressive roar, the fountain jets very fluid lava into Valle del Bove. |  f=300mm, 11h20am. Impressive jets of liquid lava erupted at a speed of several hundreds km/hr. |  f=70mm, 11h20am. An astonished cameraman observes five fountains rising from the fissure. |  f=24mm, 11h40am. Zoom on the eruptive column of billowing ash rising kilometers in the sky. |
 f=135mm, 11h45am. Bubbles of liquid lava at right, and fountains of decreasing strength elsewhere. |  f=10.5mm, 11h50am. Rising eruptive column at right, and heavy ash fallout at center over Zafferana. |  f=135mm, 11h55am. At the end of the paroxysm, a lot of ash is erupted from all the fissure. |  f=38mm, 0h05pm. Last fountains at noon: another great day for the cameraman (and myself!) has ended. |
| Copyright: M. Fulle. | |||