Posted on 06/22/2009 1:30:24 PM PDT by Steelfish
Amazing volcano photo shows shock wave
Image from space shows several phenomena that occur early in eruption [Pic in URL]
NASA Astronauts aboard the international space station captured this striking view of Sarychev Peak in the Kuril Island chain, northeast of Japan, on June 12.
Volcanologists are excited about the picture because it captures several phenomena that occur during the earliest stages of an explosive eruption.
An amazing new picture from space reveals a volcanic eruption in its earliest stage, with a huge plume of ash and steam billowing skyward and creating a shock wave in the atmosphere.
Sarychev Peak on Matua Island is one of the most active volcanoes 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.
Volcano plumes are so chaotic that they produce lightning, as revealed in pictures for the first time earlier this year
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Hey,Al! Put a cap on that!!
Soon we will be seeing a cloud like this over Pyongyang. If Zero can find his manhood.
M u s t resist ....
Impressive. Thanks for putting the photo up.
The shock wave is what pushed the clouds into the circular formation around the volcano. Hot steam is being pushed out of the volcano, forming the white bubble on top of the ash. You are correct, the white steam bubble is not the shock wave. The shock wave can’t be seen, but its effects are seen by the cloud pattern I mentioned above.
I think the shockwave is the circular clearing of the clouds as the plume punched through.
Wouldn’t the heated plume eliminate the clouds in a similar (if not exactly the same) fashion?
There is so much about our Planet that we know so little about. I wish we’d spend more time on looking at the bottom of the ocean and inside volcanoes and geysers and sink holes.
I’ll look in the sinkholes.
I was thinking it is the opposite.
Not convinced the white cloud is from steam...possibly a condensation/compression cloud? Looks like a lot of altitude to still maintain steam.
Since he won't, we'll be seeing it over Hawaii instead.
Thanks for the neat pic post,
Look at the circle of open space in the middle of the clouds with the plume at the center.
It's simple, see here
Or the heat of the eruption dropping the relative humidity around the plume.
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