Stromboli Volcano Italy - Jan. 15, 2008

Stromboli is one of the most active volcanoes on the planet. It is believed that it has been in a state near constant eruption for over 2000 years. It is so active that it earned the nickname "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean". Its explosive style of eruption has even been named "Strombolian" and is used to describe similar eruptions worldwide. In my pursuit to capture the most spectacular natural forces in the world, I've wanted to visit Stromboli for many years. It was a truly amazing spectacle to witness.

My first glimpse of the Island of Stromboli from the hydrofoil.	Looking down at the town from about halfway up the volcano. The 600 residents who live here have to deal with the constant threat of large eruptions.

Looking down into the crater after the 3 hour hike to get to the top.	A column of volcanic ash billows out from one of the active vents.

A mushroom cloud of ash, lit by the setting sun.	One of the gas vents glowing orange hot and pumping out steam and sulfur gas.

Another large plume of ash. The residents of Stromboli are constantly sweeping up the fine ash that falls back to the ground.	With a thunderous boom, a huge jet of lava shoots hundreds of meters into the air. The arcs represent the trajectory of the lava bombs.

As if the volcano wasn't spectacular enough, we were treated to a fantastic sunset.	Two active vents, one rocketing lava high into the night sky.

One more beauty of nature... As we leave the summit, the moon became encircled by a lunar halo. These halos are cause by perfectly aligned ice crystals high in the atmosphere.

 

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