On a recent visit to Japan, alien landscape photographer Martin Rietze captured some spectacular images of Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima prefecture. They are absolutely crazy - I never imagined lightning and lava could react together like this. (I originally saw them on PinkTentacle.com) It's worth checking out Rietze's website - he has been to some extraordinary places.

Multiple lightning flashes caused by fast moving fine ash

Lava bombs hitting the flank

Strombolian eruption with lightning

Detail with multiple lightning flashes

Lava brightens the ash cloud

Ash eruption causing lightning

Violent eruption

The photos were taken between December 24, 2009 and January 10, 2010.

Pinched off Pink Tentacle