Volcanic abstract
June 1912 wasn’t a very pleasant time in Katmai. Imagine not being able to see a lamp at arms length due to sulfurous volcanic ash filling the air. Remnants of the events of that time remain nearly 100 years later and became the subjects of a few of my photographs. In 1912, the Novarupta volacano produced the largest volcanic eruption, in volume and explosiveness, of the 20th century. Ash is reported to have covered 3,000 square miles to a depth of a foot or more. Over a period of 3 days, eruptions produced dust and sulfurous gas that would eventually drift as far as Africa.
The magma ejected from the eruption was mostly from under Mount Katmai, which caused its collapse to form a summit caldera that is now a lake. National Geographic sent an expedition here some years later where Robert Griggs named the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. From various photographs I have seen of this place, I wish I could have spent some time here.
Bears and ash mountains
Still, ash remains on the many mountains of the coastal areas of Katmai, as evident in this photograph of a brown bear bringing a meal back to shore. I even spotted some areas of ash that had bear tracks through them. It makes you wonder about when and where the next eruption of this magnitude will take place. Hmmm….maybe the 100 year anniversary of 2012?
Wow. Nature is so amazing in all of its aspects, deadly or not.
I think that in these days most of active volcanoes are monitored but still it is fact that people are warned only very short time before eruption. Still this can help thousand of people lives. The problem is that probably the biggest areas of volcanic activities (Yellowstone area in USA and Neapol area in Italy) are so huge that their eruption would cost lives of millions people and can be hardly predicted.
Re. images: I like the abstract one where is no way how to guess the measure. The second one is great, too.
Mark, that’s a cool abstract! I just love the work that you do with rocks and minerals.
I especially like the bear image here, providing ecological context and soft tones. I wonder how you like the 200-400mm for landscape imagery?
Only you can get a volcanic abstract Mark, amazing work !!
Bernie, you are too kind with your comments. For some reason your comments keep getting dropped into spam. I haven’t figured out how to make that stop.
Paul, Tomas – thank you – you know I am partial to that abstract rock stuff.
Paul G – I find the 200-400 great for isolating sections of distant landscapes like the first image here. It is a very versatile lens.
Hummm…I can already see it’s going to be interesting as we approach 2012!
If there’s one lesson I take away when confronted by these almost incomprehensible acts of nature, it’s to enjoy each day fully.
Amazing that so much ash still remains…evidence that it was indeed a huge eruption. Love that abstract shot, and it is amazing to see all the ash in the mountains in the bear image.
Hey Mark,
I like both of these images, but the bear one is my favorite (no surprises there). Am really enjoying your Alaska series.
Cheers
Carl
Thanks Carl. Appreciate it – particularly from one truly in sync with the wilderness up there.
Mark,
The abstract is wonderful! Reminds me of a traditional Japanese landscape watercolor. Flat perspective but still so much atmosphere. Well done! As for 2012, I think we may be facing more of a global shift in human consciousness than in global devastation, but maybe the shift in consciousness will come about as a result of catastrophe? Or maybe nothing happens and we all trudge on. Either way, if you’re interested in the subject I know of a couple of good reads…
Cheers,
John
Thanks folks, appreciate the comments.
Oy! I’m going to pretend you didn’t say 2012. I saw something on TV that NASA has been putting out statements online refuting the hype of the coming movie LOL. I’m really fond of the artistic rendition of the volcano. Very creative to see and photograph the scene in such a fashion. Great info in your post. I learned something new tonight.
Jim, I know – it’s shameful of me!
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Interesting abstract photo Mark, but I really like the bear. As for 2012, it just might go the way of the Y2K scare. But really, no one knows for real so take each day as a new one and enjoy it fully.
Ditto on the abstract shot here. Just beautiful work Mark!