Mount Shinmoedake, part of the Kirishima range, has dramatically erupted on the island of Kyūshū in southern Japan, after a gap of 52 years. The eruption started on January 26, 2011 at 7:30 AM and it is said to be the strongest eruption since 1959, spewing smoke up to 2.5 km in the air and throwing rocks up to 1.5 km. Giant ash clouds pouring out of the volcano prompted the Tokyo VAAC to issue an ash warning for places above 25,000 feet (7.6 kilometers) and as a result of the eruption, an area of 2 km around the volcano has been evacuated.
Volcanic lightning is seen above Mount Shinmoedake in Japan as it erupts. It is not clear why bolts of lightning are sometimes seen within erupting volcanoes. One theory is that that the spewing magma bubbles or particles of volcanic ash are themselves electrically charged, and by their motion create lightening.
Photos: MSNBC, Reuters
Fascinating.
ReplyDeleteHey Amanda, i do not see anything FASCINATING in these volcanic eruption is a wrath of nature and may god of all religions have mercy on all living souls coming in the way of this nature's fury.
ReplyDeleteYou're right Amanda. The lightning is amazing! The clouds look incredible.
ReplyDeletepowerfully beautifull....
ReplyDeleteWhat did the government do during or before the explosion?? ( Re-Habilitation Plan)
ReplyDelete