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Krakatau volcano (Indonesia) Nov 2018 eruption: a magic night on the island
The activity observed on 19 Nov continued in a more or less similar way during 20 Nov, although the frequency of explosions had decreased to typically 30 seconds to 1-2 minutes. As the size of explosions observed during the 36 hours we had been on the island group did not exceed a certain threshold (ejecting bombs to the sea), a part of our group decided to take the calculated risk and spend some time on a favorable viewing spot behind the forest and near the shore of Anak Krakatau.
When eruptions eventually started to increase significantly, we left.
Disclaimer: visiting such spots during eruptive phases of Krakatau is very risky and you should be aware that no place on the island of Anak Krakatau is safe from bombs - unexpected large explosions can occur with no warning at any time.
Beginning of an average-sized ash-rich explosion at sunset. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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A similar, small vulcanian-type ash-rich explosion follows a few minutes later (sequence 1/3). (Phot... [
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A very large lava bomb, probably about 3 meter in diameter is ejected out above the eastern rim (seq... [
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The bombs have mostly landed and a dense ash plume rises (sequence 3/3). (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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Sequence, taken split-seconds apart, of a lava-rich strombolian type explosion (1/4). (Photo: Tom Pf... [
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Lava-rich strombolian type explosion (2/4). (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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Lava-rich strombolian type explosion (3/4). (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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Lava-rich strombolian type explosion (4/4). (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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Many eruptions are much smaller, however. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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At the beginning of the blue hour, a very bright eruption occurs to the joy of every one. (Photo: To... [
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The eruption now looks like a glowing wall of lava thrown into the air and falling back, (Photo: Tom... [
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Red lava against the blue sky of the evening twilight. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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As the blue hour is over, the strong moonlight takes its place. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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Ash plume rising from an explosion that just ended. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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A few seconds later, another eruption occurs. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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Rain of glowing bombs (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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A very powerful (although comparably poor in incandescent material) explosion sends bombs to all ove... [
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Mild strombolian eruption (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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Moderate strombolian eruption (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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Strong strombolian eruption (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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Very strong strombolian eruption... (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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Fortunately, the increasing trend is broken by an "only" moderately-sized explosion following the pr... [
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Another moderately strong explosion, but with less incandescent lava (and better to photograph). (Ph... [
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This eruption covered the eastern slope of the cone with incandescent material. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer... [
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While this one throws most of the material onto the other (western) side of the cone. (Photo: Tom Pf... [
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An ash-rich explosion observed with a wider angle lens. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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Silhouettes of the forest on the southern and eastern part of the island are visible in the lower ri... [
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A larger explosion covers the whole cone of Anak Krakatau with lava bombs. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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A few minutes later, a stronger explosion occurs. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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A very strong explosion sends bombs into the forest. We get the suspicion that while the intervals b... [
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Shorter exposure with higher ISO setting (1600 ASA) the moment most of the material ejected by anoth... [
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Almost all eruptions now are rather on the large side of the scale... (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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Beautiful symmetric eruption. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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"Classic" strombolian eruption with lots of red hot lava. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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Eruption with (comparably) less bombs and more ash. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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Lava watchers in position for the show. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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Wide-angle view of our observation spot with a large strombolian eruption occurring in the backgroun... [
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For a while, activity returns to regular strombolian explosions at intervals of few minutes and mode... [
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Strombolian eruption against a moonlit sky. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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The first time, a small lightning is observed in the ash plume. In the following time, lightnings co... [
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Moderately sized ash-rich eruption. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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The strongest explosion makes us decide it is time to leave: in this 16mm ultra-wide angle photo, bo... [
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A last candle-like eruption before we return to camp and continue observations from a safer distance... [
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Typical strombolian eruption seen from the beach of Rakata. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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