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THEMATIC VOLCANO PHOTO GALLERY:

- Lava lakes -


Brief explanation:

Lava lakes are accumulations of larger volumes of liquid lava above one or several vents, unsually contained within a crater on the summit of the volcano. Volcanoes with eruptions that produce long-lasting lava lakes are relatively rare; some volcanoes are famous for their lava lakes: Kilauea (Hawaii) (no lava lake at present), Erta Ale (Ethiopia), Nyiragongo (at present probably the most violent lava lake in the world, about 120 meters wide; see photos).

 


 The lava lake of Nyiragongo volcano, Zaire (Jan. 2006).

Circular patterns of fractures of partially cooled surface plates are drawn towards the strong fountain. Exploding bubbles in a marginal fountain, tearing apart fragments of thin crust on the lake. Irregular boundaries of crust fragments on the lava lake. Bubbling lava...