Northern Lights over erupting Icelandic volcano

By Mail Online Reporter

Last updated at 3:48 PM on 30th June 2010

The Northern Lights are effortlessly one of Earth's most visually striking natural spectacles.

But when they shine over an eruption at the Icelandic volcano which caused ash cloud flight chaos across Europe, the results are stunning, as these pictures show.

Purple and blue lights in the sky contrast with bright yellow and red lava flowing from the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, erupting from beneath its ice cap.

Natural beauty: Purple and blue lights in the sky contrast with the bright yellow and red lava flowing from the Eyjafjallajökull volcano.

Photographer James Appleton, 23, from Cambridge, risked his life trekking solo to the area and captured these incredible shots.

The Cambridge University graduate spent five days observing the first phase of the eruption from a shack in nearby Fimmvorouhals mountain pass.

He spent seven hours battling biting wind and freezing temperatures to get as close to the eruption as possible, against the advice of local guides.

Despite being trapped inside a shack there for 48 hours, Mr Appleton managed to trek within 100ft of the volcano.

He said he was 'impressed' with his shots of the vibrant lava flowing down the mountain.

Mr Appleton said: 'It was definitely the highlight of my photographic career so far and something I will never forget.

'To be stood right in the action and watching the volcano spew out lava and growling with the peaceful Northern Lights flickering was just incredible.

'I had little more than three hours of sleep every night because I was just so determined to capture as much as I could.

'I have never been physically trapped by weather conditions before but it was completely worth it for the dramatic results.'

Stunning: Mr Appleton spent seven hours battling biting wind and freezing temperatures to get as close to the eruption as possible, against the advice of local guides

The Eyjafjallajökull eruption grounded flights across the UK and Europe in April after a cloud of volcanic ash which could damage jet engines drifted across the area.

Scientists say the Northern Lights, a natural phenomenon called aurora borealis, is created by the sun's super hot atmosphere, which blasts particles into the protective magnetic field surrounding the Earth.

The magnetic field forces the particles toward the north and south poles.

About 60 to 200 miles overhead, the particles bump into the Earth's atmosphere and become electrically 'excited' - throwing off light of various colours.

Although the phenomenon occurs around the clock, the lights are only visible at night.
The best time of year to see them is during winter, when darkness in the upper latitudes stretches up to 24 hours.