Batu Tara volcano expedition Nov 2012 photos: strombolian activity
The photos were taken during 25-28 Nov 2012 when we visited the remote Komba island consisting of Batu Tara volcano during our recent volcano expedition to Indonesia. The volcano has been in continuous strombolian eruption, at fluctuating levels, since 2006. Very favorable weather and sea conditions allowed us to land several times on the narrow beach a few 100 m south of the eastern collapse scar of the volcano, the only place on shore from where the vent and its eruptions are visible. During our stay, activity varied from day to day, and consisted in frequent ash venting, mild to powerful strombolian eruptions accompanied by loud detonations and ejecting bombs to several hundred meters height above the vent, located at about 500 m elevation inside the deep collapse scar.
Approaching the conical island of Komba in the Flores Sea, located about 50 km north of Lembata Isla... [info]
(1189 Hits)
(1189 Hits)
Sailing around its southern side, we get a first view of the prominent collapse scarp on the eastern... [info]
(1029 Hits)
(1029 Hits)
View into the upper half of the collapse scarp with the active crater in the center of the image. A ... [info]
(738 Hits)
(738 Hits)
A strong strombolian explosion on 25 Nov evening throws glowing bombs over much of the upper eastern... [info]
(1716 Hits)
(1716 Hits)
About 20 seconds after a stronger explosion on the evening of 25 Nov, lava bombs have mostly landed ... [info]
(1128 Hits)
(1128 Hits)
Xavier, Melissa and Richard in observation position, using a comfortable large tree trunk, rocks and... [info]
(1085 Hits)
(1085 Hits)
A powerful explosion on 26 Nov sends hundreds of glowing bombs to all sides. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(1030 Hits)
(1030 Hits)
Another strong explosion produces a heavy bombardment of the northern cliff of the scarp next to the... [info]
(943 Hits)
(943 Hits)
Moderately strong explosion on 26 Nov. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(1003 Hits)
(1003 Hits)
Small but bright strombolian eruption on 26 Nov. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(1156 Hits)
(1156 Hits)
A bright and relatively strong explosion reflected in the completely calm sea. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(733 Hits)
(733 Hits)
Activity was moderate on 25 Nov, somewhat stronger on 26, very weak on 27, but compared to the other... [info]
(647 Hits)
(647 Hits)
Ash-rich strombolian eruption on 26 Nov. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(562 Hits)
(562 Hits)
Ash-rich eruption during the night of 26-27 Nov. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(771 Hits)
(771 Hits)
View of the crater (center top of image) and the upper half of the scree slope beneath it. Note the ... [info]
(682 Hits)
(682 Hits)
A glowing spot was often visible at the rim of the crater. On closer inspection, it was an effusive ... [info]
(629 Hits)
(629 Hits)
The effusive activity was then interrupted by more or less powerful strombolian explosions such as t... [info]
(762 Hits)
(762 Hits)
Ash whirled up by blocks rolling and falling down the steep slope. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(542 Hits)
(542 Hits)
Explosion rich in both glowing bombs and ash seen in the evening (see "similar images" for sequence)... [info]
(640 Hits)
(640 Hits)
Ash venting with almost no visible incandescent lava forms a small plume rising vertically. (Photo: ... [info]
(466 Hits)
(466 Hits)
Bombs rolling down the sciara leave dust trails. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(525 Hits)
(525 Hits)
A steaming splash of a larger block landing in the water after rolling and tumbling down the sciara.... [info]
(502 Hits)
(502 Hits)
The collapse scar seen from the SE, the triangular dark delta is probably the deposit of the recent ... [info]
(603 Hits)
(603 Hits)
Zooom onto the exposed feeder dike (the wall-like structure visible in the lower right of the image)... [info]
(536 Hits)
(536 Hits)
Beginning of an ash-rich explosion. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(466 Hits)
(466 Hits)
Ash vening. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(460 Hits)
(460 Hits)
An ash plume rising about 500 m after a moderately strong explosion. The cloud drifts towards the we... [info]
(512 Hits)
(512 Hits)
batutara_i56427.jpg (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(450 Hits)
(450 Hits)
More on VolcanoDiscovery
17 days volcano trekking: This is one of our most exciting volcano tours! Halmahera, North Sulawesi and the Sangihe Islands are not only very scenic and interesting as well as nearly unspoiled by tourism, but also home to some of the country's most active (and often erupting) volcanoes, inclduing Dukono, Ibu, Lokon, Soputan and Karangetang.
Volcano Calendar 2013: Our first printed volcano calendar, featuring a paroxysm of Etna, a vulcanian explosion of Krakatau, and much more!
