1. Photograph by B. Chouet in
December 1969. Close view of Stromboli Volcano erupting incandescent
molten lava framgents.
Strombolian eruption
Strombolian eruptions are characterized by the intermittent explosion
or fountaining of basaltic lava from a single vent or crater. Each
episode is caused by the release of volcanic gases, and they typically
occur every few minutes or so, sometimes rhythmically and sometimes
irregularly. The lava fragments generally consist of partially molten
volcanic bombs that become rounded as they fly through the air.
2. Photograph by B. Chouet in
1992. View of Stromboli Volcano on the island of Stromboli
in the Mediterranean.
Did you know?
-
The word strombolian is derived from the volcano Stromboli, one of the
Aeolian Islands north of Sicily. Stromboli has been almost continuously
in eruption for at least the past 2,400 years.
-
Other volcanoes that often exhibit strombolian activity include Etna
(Italy), Pacaya (Guatemala), and Erebus (Antarctica).