Summit craters 1997 July

South East Crater (SEC) 28 July 1997 20:00 (all times local) from the Central Crater rim fumaroles, visible in the foreground. Etna's shadow in the background.

SEC 27 July 1997 06:00 from near «fortino». Sunrise behind an eruption from the S vent of the 1997 cone. The lava is bright enough to be visible against the sun.

SEC 28 July 1997 20:00 from the «fortino». Strong strombolian eruption from the N vent after 3 mins of silence. As the sun sets Etna's shadow is rising over the horizon.

SEC 28 July 1997 20:30. In the eastern sky are anticrepuscular rays, caused by the setting sun and irregularities in the western horizon (probably clouds).

SEC 27 July 1997 02:00. During the 30 s exposure, about 20 explosions occurred. Lava flow on the right. City lights of Acireale in the back. The bright object is the moon.

SEC 27 July 1997 06:00. Strombolian eruption from the S vent of the 1997 cone ejecting meter sized scoria. In the background is the Ionian Sea.

SEC 27 July 1997 03:00. Lava flow from an ephemeral vent on the SE rim (flow velocity about 0.2 m/s). The stars of the Auriga constellation are rising in the background.

SEC 28 July 1997 21h30m from «Torre Filosofo». Strombolian eruptions from the 1997 cone and lava flow from the SE side of the crater.

Bocca Nuova (BN). 26 July 1997 17:00 from W rim. Spattering 1997 cone at the NW bottom of BN.

BN 28 July 1997 19:00 also from the W rim. Lava spattering from two vents.

BN 28 July 1997 19:00 from the W rim. Lava fountain from the vent on the E side of the NW cone.

BN 26 July 1997 21:00 Panoramic view of all active vents. The one most right produced terrifying bangs.