The Lava Lake in 2008 |
![The Lava Lake in 2008 The Lava Lake in 2008](lava-lake/icons/erta-ale-lava-lake-mf9158.jpg) From the pit's western rim, Stefan and Irawaty observe the lava lake which has about half the area of the lower terrace. | ![The Lava Lake in 2008 The Lava Lake in 2008](lava-lake/icons/erta-ale-lava-lake-mf9255.jpg) Lava rises along the eastern margin of the lake (top of the photos) and from there flows towards the camera (bottom). | ![The Lava Lake in 2008 The Lava Lake in 2008](lava-lake/icons/erta-ale-lava-lake-mf9160.jpg) Strong spattering occurs where lava is subducted into the lake. Note person (Franz) standing on the rim at upper left. | ![The Lava Lake in 2008 The Lava Lake in 2008](lava-lake/icons/erta-ale-lava-lake-mf9267.jpg) Taking photos from the pit's edge; the waning Moon is at upper left, Jupiter and Venus close together far left. |
![The Lava Lake in 2008 The Lava Lake in 2008](lava-lake/icons/erta-ale-lava-lake-mf9393.jpg) Looking across the first terrace towards the lava lake some time after sunset. | ![The Lava Lake in 2008 The Lava Lake in 2008](lava-lake/icons/erta-ale-lava-lake-mf9162.jpg) Expedition members on the northwestern rim of the pit. A moving flashlight caused the bright trail. | ![The Lava Lake in 2008 The Lava Lake in 2008](lava-lake/icons/erta-ale-lava-lake-mf9395.jpg) At dawn the lake level rises and spills over the second terrace (lower left). | ![The Lava Lake in 2008 The Lava Lake in 2008](lava-lake/icons/erta-ale-lava-lake-mf9404.jpg) After an hour the lake level has again subsided, lava on the terrace cools and solidifies. |
![The Lava Lake in 2008 The Lava Lake in 2008](lava-lake/icons/erta-ale-lava-spatter-mf9273.jpg) Gas trapped below the lake's crust during the overflow of the terrace suddenly erupts along the lake's rim. | ![The Lava Lake in 2008 The Lava Lake in 2008](lava-lake/icons/erta-ale-lava-spatter-mf9271.jpg) Subduction of crust along the western shoreline causes strong spattering and intense crustal folding. | ![The Lava Lake in 2008 The Lava Lake in 2008](lava-lake/icons/erta-ale-lava-spatter-mf9372.jpg) Tele photo view of exploding lava bubbles near the location where the crust is subducted. | ![The Lava Lake in 2008 The Lava Lake in 2008](lava-lake/icons/erta-ale-caldera-mf9384.jpg) South of Erta Ale's caldera, another unnamed shield volcano can be seen; Hayli Gubbi volcano is further away on the right. |
Photos by Marco Fulle, taken with 10.5mm and 16mm fisheye lenses, 50mm, 135mm, 500mm and digital single lens reflex camera. |