Photo of a Volcano's Shock Wave

By Queuebot in Pictures on Jun 25, 2009 at 1:29 am

An amazing picture taken from International Space Station shows the shock wave from a volcanic eruption.  The eruption ocurred on the Sarychev Peak on Matau Island, located in the Kuril island 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.

Link

(image credit: NASA/ISS/Earth Observatory)

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by Geekazoid.