Volcanic eruptions are breathtaking at the best of times, but one volcano in Indonesia is even more spectacular than usual.
The volcano, called Kawah Ijen, erupts blue lava.
While this unique hue is almost invisible during the day, at night, it’s unmissable.
Unsurprisingly, the volcano has been of huge interest to scientists, who initially suggested that the colour was due to the temperature of the lava.
However, further analysis revealed that the blue colour is in fact caused by the chemical composition of the complex surrounding the volcano.
The Ijen complex contains an enormous acid lake, thanks to the presence of sulphur in the area.
When this sulphur interacts with oxygen in air at temperatures above 360 degrees Celcius, it combusts.
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During this combustion process, the sulphur produces a blue flame.
Speaking to National Geographic, photographer Olivier Grunewald, said: “This blue glow – unusual for a volcano – isn’t, of course, lava, as unfortunately can be read on many websites.”
Instead some of the gases condense into liquid sulphur, which "continues to burn as it flows down the slopes, giving the feeling of lava flowing,” Mr Grunewald added.
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