The Spectacular Dance of Nature

Ever wondered if lava could reach for the sky?

🌋 Volcanic Light Pillars: A Spectacular Natural Phenomenon
Unfortunately, Mother Nature doesn’t work that way; in fact, lava flows are much too busy making a beeline for the nearest valley rather than groping toward the heavens. However, there’s a fiery twist to this tale—while lava doesn’t stretch skyward, the light it produces certainly can, resulting in a phenomenon that’s both spectacular and downright peculiar: the volcanic light pillar.

Now, if you’re picturing bright beams shooting up into the sky like nature’s own version of a disco ball at a volcanic rave, you aren’t too far off! Typically, light pillars are the work of the sun, creating those awe-inspiring bright columns that seem to extend endlessly during sunrise or sunset. But leave it to the exuberant chaps at Mount Etna in Italy to throw a curveball and replace the streaming sunlight with a heated glow that rivals even the most vibrant neon signs.

It was during an icy mid-February morning when a snapshot taken at this vibrant volcano froze in time a moment of pure magic. Picture this: a red-hot lava flow snaking down the mountainside, while above, temperatures plummeted, causing tiny ice crystals to form in the frigid air—or perhaps the condensed water vapor kicked up by the magma itself. These mischievous little ice particles, mostly flat and fluttering like small butterflies trying to make sense of their existence, took a grand leap of faith and decided to reflect the red light emanating from the caldera. Voilà! Instant light show.

So, there you have it—a chorus of ice crystals gleefully bouncing the glow of molten rock straight into the atmosphere, creating an otherworldly portrait of color and light that would leave any modern art enthusiast questioning their life choices. Forget boring old portraits; this is the kind of gallery exhibit we all need to witness!

Next time you find yourself staring up at the sky, picturing hot lava trying to make its ascension, cut it some slack. Instead, admire the beautiful chaos it creates on the way down, where light and ice converge in an extraordinary display that reminds us just how wild and whimsical nature can be. And who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll see that lava don a tuxedo and take a formal stroll into the stratosphere—but until then, we’ll gladly settle for a volcanic light pillar that’s illuminating our imagination.
Image via NASA https://ift.tt/1cXWfxy