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