An ash plume from a phreatic explosion rises above a small crater lake at Karkar volcano on 22 April 1979. Following a major explosion from a new vent on the floor of the caldera on 8 March, minor explosions took place until May, after which activity intensified. A lake was briefly seen the day after this photo was taken. The lake disappeared after a strong explosion that night, which deposited ash on the SW caldera floor.

Photo by William Melson, 1979 (Smithsonian Institution)

This image is made available under the Public Domain Dedication CC0 license, but proper attribution is appreciated.

Keywords: ash | ash plume | plume | eruption | vent | crater | caldera

Karkar