Stromboli, April 2004

' stalactic' light impressions in the western direction

After the volcanic causes from the 5th April 2003 it was necessary to visit the Stromboli. Surely it was well known by us that Stromboli still exist but the structure of the crater terrace was a mystery. In addition we noticed in October 2003 from the Calabrian coast a new summit form. Did looked at that time strange, but it’s not like that! Everything was situated where it should belong. Inside the main crater the may four or five little cones which grew steady in the last years were totaly blown up. There was nothing to see anymore. Now, only one large crater makes you understand, what enormous forces were working at this place one year before.

On tour M. Rietze and Th. Boeckel

Right: Ascent from the Fossetta.  A notice to the Sciara del Fuoco. Surprised we saw that every eruption caused a stone avalanche down the Sciara. We had the impression that the whole slope was in such a loosen consistence that might be more bigger avalanches will go down in the future

After we moved three days between zero and 918 meter we had to realize that we were involved into a dwell phase of the volcano. What a mess! In the first night: Clouds and too much steam in the crater beside a little activity. Second night: Nearly no activity and problems of prohibition on the Quota 400. Possibly it was not permitted to enter the upper area? Third night: Hide and seek in the bushes crowned with cave-hiding. The night comes the guides are going, but finally clear sky. Middle up to strong eruptions

From this position on approximately 650 meters the side view was finally possible. In the western part the crater rim partly continued to grow in its radius. Old area formations are however still to be recognized.

The distance of observation was about 350 m, the ejection height averaged with approximately 100 m. The crater had an opening of apprx.100 m from this position

Stromboli impressions. Left and right, the former house of Ingrid Bergman

    tb

Crater from Okt. 2000 (Q 650 m) and from April. 2004 (Q 650 m)

In comparison to October 2002 substantial changes of the crater are shown. Thus the eastern part of the crater wall was literally blown up. This becomes visible at the left rim on the photos. An exiting starry sky did opend to us during the total darkness

Shadow of Venus

Venus in eastern elongation (-4.0 mag), near the seven sisters

Did you know actually that Venus is the only planet which can produce a shadow? So far I read it only in books. During we attended to the terrestrial on goings on 650 meters we noticed in the total darkness that on the bright rocks of the northwest slope our doings did had have a ' shade existence '. After I recognised that our main planets were positioned at this time under the horizon only Venus was actually remaining  (time during the sunset and moonrise, 2h). With joy I stated that in an absolutely dark environment, light phenomena are possible like these. On the upper photo you see Venus, the shine of Venus on the sea and the shade of a cloud which was reflecting up to us.

 

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©2004 photos by M.Rietze (MR) and  T.Boeckel (TB) last modification 14.12.04

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