Lava fountains 2008

During breaks in the spattering activity at the hornito, gas is exhaled from the lake surface causing lava fountains.

Fountaining usually lasts about two minutes. It breaks and lifts the shiny, partially solidified lava crust.

Sometimes the gas explodes more violently. Then incandescent lava clots are ejected, looking like an expanding bubble.

The fountains travel across the lake in the same direction as the convective motion of the folded curst (top right).

Very hot lava continues to rise from the deep magmatic centre of the lake.

Standing only 70 meters above the agitated lake, we sometimes feel very close indeed to all the action!

Highly fluid lava is extended into Pele's hair (barely visible below the centre of the photo).

Lava clots at least one metre in diameter; note incandescent Pele's hair.

Pele's hair cools quickly and appears darker than the bright lava behind it.

Bright sunlight reflects on the shiny crust, making it even brighter than the fluid lava.

The sun shines on this lava fountain, creating a beautiful contrast to the shadow further back.

Perfect illumination is more important than size, even for lava bubbles, when it comes to making a good impression...