Erupting Volcano Captured On Camera From Space
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On June 12th, just as the International Space Station was orbiting above Japan, the Sarychev Peak, one of the world's most active volcanoes, came to life, enabling astronauts to take some amazing, never before seen, pictures.
Among the most unique features captured is the 'pileus cloud', a layer of mist or condensing water that sits above the plume of ash, just as the volcano erupts. While volcanologists have known about it, they have never been able to photograph it, since it dissipates shortly after the eruption.
Also caught on tape, is a huge pyroclastic flow. This is the flow of super-hot rock that precedes red-hot lava, and is even more deadly, destroying everything in its path.
The scientists also noticed that as the volcano erupts, the clouds seem to drift away. They are not sure whether it is the impact of the eruption that causes them to scatter away or that they simply evaporate, due to the warmer air from the rising ash. The pictures taken by the astronauts will allow them to observe and determine which of those theories is actually true.
The Sarychev peak is part of an active cluster of islands off of Japan's Hokkaido Island. The June 12th eruption was its first in 20 years, but its impact was felt as high as 5 miles and as wide 1,500 miles on land. While commercial flights were impacted, the astronauts were fine, since the International Space Station orbits the earth from a height of 2,200 miles.
source: Dailymail.co.uk
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80 Comments
- austin-tyler over 14 yearsWOW!I wonder how huge the smoke was in ft.Also I wonder if the valcano was enormous compared to the cloud? Next I wonder if the pyroclastic flow was toxic and 78,000[f]?
- Space Alien Ianover 14 yearsGleep glop this earthly volcano sent out a impact 5 miles high.GLEEEEPPPP and 1,500 miles high.This gas is very poisonus to my people luckly the astronauts were fine they`re 2,200 feet high.My peoples leaders ship was that high attached to there ship repairing.
- Ms. Reneeover 14 yearsoops! Picked the wrong sticker~!~
- Ms. Reneeover 14 yearsGreat job asking questions as you read Janel and Erika! And what would you do if you saw such an event, Chessa? Would you believe it? Would you want to run and hide? Excellent curiosities gals!
- JANELover 14 yearsWow what some amazing infomation I never new that astronauts could capture a volcano. I also still have a couple of questions. How does a volcano start? How did the astronauts take thoes pictures?
- ERIKA RAWWRover 14 yearsWOW thats amazing THE FLOW OF A SUPER HOT ROCK THAT PRECEDES RED HOT LAVA AND IS EVEN MORE DEADLY THAT IT CAN DESTROY EVERYTHING IN ITS PATH!!! WOOW thats AMAZING sometimes i wonder if a volcano is just like a tornato? WOOW SCARY!!!!- ERIKA RARWR
- Chessaover 14 yearsI wonder what the astronauts did when they saw this with there own two eyes!! =)> What would you do if you soaw this with your own two eyes?? I wouldn't know what to do if I saw this! I never knew that when a Volcano erupts so much smoke would show up from outerspace!!
- Emmaover 14 yearsWOW! amazing what a valcano can do. also to see it from that far away is amazing. I can't beleive it. I wonder what the people in Japan thought. SCARY! -Emma
- Sydney over 14 yearsThat is AMAZING that astronauts can capture a picture of an active volcano. Now amigine being up close to it!!!!
- ninja galover 14 yearslike that is soo weird its like soda bubbles comin' out!