Moment in time ... astronauts on the International Space Station have captured a stunning image of a volcanic eruption punching a hole in the clouds / AFP


June 25, 2009 10:50am

ASTRONAUTS have captured a stunning image of a volcanic eruption blowing a hole through the clouds.

The photograph was taken from the International Space Station and captures the eruption of the Sarychev Volcano in Japan this month.

Eye in the sky: Amazing space images


NASA's Earth Observatory website details how the eruption "cleared a circle in the cloud deck".

"The clearing may result from the shockwave from the eruption or from sinking air around the eruption plume: as the plume rises, air flows down around the sides like water flowing off the back of a surfacing dolphin.

"As air sinks, it tends to warm and expand; clouds in the air evaporate," the website says.

"In contrast, the smooth white cloud on top may be water condensation that resulted from rapid rising and cooling of the air mass above the ash column."

Read more at NASA's Earth Observatory website.