Nasa’s Astronomy Picture of the Day: Sakurajima Valcano Unleashing Hell

by Johnny on March 11, 2013

Image Credit & Copyright: Martin Rietze (Alien Landscapes on Planet Earth)

Today’s Astronomy Picture of the Day is this awe-inspiring photo of Sakurajima Valcano in southern Kyushu erupting. It was photographed by Martin Rietze, who was down there in January to capture the action, which included molten lava bombs, billowing black smoke and lightning. In other words, it looks like all hell is breaking loose.

But I can’t help but wonder if this was a conscious decision on the part of NASA to post this image on March 11th, 2013, the 2-year anniversary of another destructive force of nature: the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

Popular this week

7 comments

1 Anthony Sawers { 03.11.13 at 9:37 pm }: These photos are simply amazing. Special effects couldn’t have even dreamed them.
2 Alastair { 03.12.13 at 12:51 pm }: The Burning Sulfer flows he shot are even cooler. I never knew there was such a thing
3 Johnny { 03.12.13 at 3:06 pm }: @Alastair were those in the Sakurajima series? Can’t seem to find them.
4 Trent { 03.12.13 at 10:23 pm }: @Johnny

See http://www.mrietze.com/java08.htm and scroll down to Kawah Ijen
5 Johnny { 03.12.13 at 11:23 pm }: @Trent - mind blown. Thanks!
6 Percival Constantine { 03.13.13 at 4:07 am }: This actually looks a lot more epic than it actually was. I live very close to Sakurajima (as evidenced by how often my car gets blanketed in volcanic ash) and I didn’t even know this happened.

Very cool pictures, though.
7 Hope @designistUK { 03.13.13 at 7:51 pm }: I’m 99% sure if the apocalypse was tomorrow it would look something like this.

Stunning photos, props to Martin he’s braver than i’ll ever be.