Field Trip Day 2 - Lunar Rill like erosional channel

	The channel strongly resembles one of the Moon rills, so may be an important analogue to some planetary volcanic features.

We stopped beside the channel to investigate its features and gain some understanding of the processes that formed it.

	Unlike most lava channels on Earth, it is not surrounded by its own levee and is deeply cut into deposited lava field.

We stop for a group photo with Gian, who seems pleased with the progress of the field trip so far.

	Gian outlines the significance of the erosional lava channel..

The eerie ground level cloud cover approaches

	and with our usual uncanny luck with the weather, it threatens to obscure the cone we have just left.

A view looking along the erosional lava channel.

	The erosional channel is important because it may provide an analogue to some planetary volcanic features.

It is also a pretty good place for lunch..

	Jens in the lava channel.

Some of the group begin the decent back down to the four wheel drive busses for the trip back down.

	Of course Ljuba is made of sterner stuff, and is not ready to leave yet.

eventually most of the group leaves

	and even Gian start to make his way down, with the clouds not far behind

having missed the last bus down, Ljuba Jens and I start our decent by foot.

	Jens said he bought his ash proof glasses at Area 51. He said he thought they sold them because they looked like alien eyes. I think he was right...

they weren't kidding about it being a low quality tourist resort..

	where I won't be skiing this season...

at least there was a nice view on the way down

	so we stopped for a photo opportunity.

of course there was plenty of volcanic rock

	Jens photographing some volcanic rock

still decending

	a bit further down

	At last, approaching the cones adjacent to our meeting point.

At last, back at the Rifugio Sapienza where we board the busses for our journey to Aci Castello.