Extreme weather events are no worse than that, folks.
As the lava flowed and ashes of ash rose more than a mile above Japan’s Sakurajima volcano, spectators in nearby villages watched in horror as a lightning storm appeared directly over the rupture.
A Reuters photographer, with an acute time, managed to capture the spectacular event – on one of the most active volcanoes in the world – in an image that describes the most powerful phenomena of nature in an epic collision.
Volcanic lightning – which may appear to hit the volcano or rise from its mouth – is not uncommon; however, scientists have not yet fully understood why it is happening because erupting volcanoes can be difficult to study up close, according to Live Science.
One theory is that static electricity, caused by particles colliding with clouds of smoke, goes to the energy screw – a process felt on a human scale by static shaking. Another reason suggests that ice crystals bouncing around the stratosphere could also rub off as much flying ash and water vapor in a physical way (as in physics) reaction similar to how lightning storms occur.
According to local reports, no significant damage or injury was reported to the communities closest to Sakurajima. Earlier this year, the Taal volcano in the Philippines held a similar light show – forcing about 300,000 residents to evacuate.