Pyroclastic Flows

20 March 2002, 6h from Jack Boy Hill. Sunrise illuminates the ash cloud raised by pyroclastic flows on the dome's E flank.

20 March 2002, 6h. This pyroclastic flow breaks through the cloud deck around the dome.

20 March 2002, 7h. Another minor pyroclastic flow on the E dome's flank. Dead trees in the foreground give the scale.

26 March 2002, 8h from Blackburne Airport. The dome from another perspective with abandonned houses in the foreground.

21 March 2002, 6h from Jack Boy Hill. A showcase of «grey» volcano activity: pyroclastic flows (left) and red rockfalls (right).

21 March 2002, 6h. A few seconds later, the pyroclastic flow front as well as the rockfall have advanced into the Tar River Valley.

21 March 2002, 6h. About a minute later, the pyroclastic flow reaches its climax with large rockfalls on its right.

21 March 2002, 6h. Another pyroclastic flow clearly is incandescent where it is in contact with the ground.

21 March 2002, 7h. This is the best pyroclastic flow we can observe, and it occurs right at sunrise.

21 March 2002, 7h. Billowing ash continues to rise from the advancing front of the flow.

21 March 2002, 7h. The pyroclastic flow descends into the Tar River Valley.

21 March 2002, 7h. The whole sequence of pictures was taken during a period of only four minutes.