Photo Information

Photograph by J.P. Eaton at 2:00 p.m. on December 17, 1959

Incandescent tephra falls from the lava fountain. During the 3rd episode, a few incandescent pieces of pumice were wafted more than 100 m above the lava fountain, and cooler pieces were carried even higher by the hot draft above the fountain. Variations in the wind created a constantly changing pattern in the "pumice plume" that was mesmerizing to watch. Often, glowing clouds of pumice swirled directly overhead, only to be blown far away into the forest before falling.

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