This is an awesome picture

Kenneth Hynek • 24th Jun 2009 • Photography, The Sciences, Research, The Sciences, Space, World News
International Space Station, Japan, Kuril Islands, Matua Island, NASA, Sarychev Peak, volcano

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There’s actually quite a lot of awesome in this photo. Obviously, it involves a volcano erupting, which is automatically cool. The plume of smoke, steam, and ash is nothing short of spectacular. The shock wave that is evident from the way the clouds have been pushed back in circular fashion is telling as to just how powerful the eruption is. And that little shockwave at the top of the plume is a testament to just what kind of force all that aforementioned ash, smoke, and steam was expelled with.

Naturally, the photo was taken from space:

Sarychev Peak on Matua Island is one of the most active volcanoes in the Kuril Islands chain, northeast of Japan.

The new photo was taken June 12 from the International Space Station. NASA says volcano researchers are excited about the picture “because it captures several phenomena that occur during the earliest stages of an explosive volcanic eruption.”

The main plume appears to be a combination of brown ash and white steam, according to a NASA statement. The vigorously rising plume gives the steam a bubble-like appearance.

The surrounding atmosphere has been shoved up by the shock wave of the eruption, scientists said.

See? Awesome picture.