Volcanic eruption seen from space

Above is a photo taken from the International Space Station of Sarychev Volcano, Kuril Islands, northeast of Japan, erupting earlier this month. From NASA:

Prior to June 12, the last explosive eruption occurred in 1989, with eruptions in 1986, 1976, 1954, and 1946 also producing lava flows. Ash from the multi-day eruption has been detected 2,407 kilometers east-southeast and 926 kilometers west-northwest of the volcano, and commercial airline flights are being diverted away from the region to minimize the danger of engine failures from ash intake.

This detailed astronaut photograph is exciting to volcanologists because it captures several phenomena that occur during the earliest stages of an explosive volcanic eruption.

Sarychev Peak Eruption, Kuril Islands

[#1 posted by matt blank, June 25, 2009 9:04 AM]

VOLCANOESSSSS INNNNN SPAAAACEEEEE....
My favorite part about this picture that I just noticed is how the clouds are pushed back in a ring around it.

[#2 posted by jenjen, June 25, 2009 9:29 AM]

What an amazing image! I love being alive in the age of space stations and deep-sea submarines.

[#3 posted by demidan, June 25, 2009 9:33 AM]

Amazing! Cleared the neighborhood of the nasty clouds too.

[#4 posted by LightningRose, June 25, 2009 9:53 AM]

If you happen to have a pair of red/green 3D glasses, you may want to checkout today's APOD.

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap090625.html

[#5 posted by TJ S, June 25, 2009 10:59 AM]

The puff of white at the top of the ash plume makes it look as if some sort of Galactic Spider chose the spot to lay its eggs.

Neat.

[#6 posted by dculberson, June 25, 2009 1:39 PM]

That is an absolutely amazing picture.

[#7 posted by Nasty, June 25, 2009 2:21 PM]

so fantastical. mmm...CO2 for me and for u.

[#8 posted by benher, June 26, 2009 5:01 AM]

The Kuril Islands aren't northeast of Japan, they're part of Japan.

[#9 posted by Anonymous, June 27, 2009 7:53 AM]

Perhaps this why we are having so much rain. There is always an aftermath after an eruption some where in the world.
Catsfour