This spectacular image was captured by Carlos Gutierrez for UPI.
As the Chaitén volcano prepares to erupt in Chile, lightening illuminated the sky above, generating the magnificent scene.
Having remained dormant for an estimated thousand years, the Patagonian volcano, located 1,290 kilometres south of the Chilean capital, Santiago, began erupting on Friday night.
Since then, more than 4,000 people have been evacuated from Chaitén, which lies six miles from the colossus.
For more details, see El Mercurio (in Spanish).
Yes, it is magnificent, but if I saw that, I think I would run for my life rather than take a photo. Brave man!
Wow, that’s an amazing picture. Yet really scary. You know, Chaitén means Satan! Looking at the picture and reading those facts, it’s not surprising they gave it such a name.
Yes, Hani, it is most likely a once in a life-time shot and I would like to think I could find the cojones to capture it had I been in Gutierrez’s position also!
I was thinking the same as I wrote the post, Jasim: it is mighty ironic!
Thank heavens for photographers: they broaden our minds and satisfy our imaginations no end!
Asalaam o alaikum!
One mans beauty (of the photo) is another mans terror!
I am not sure where the info was taken to call this name Satan but that is wrong. The name Chaiten means “basket of water” from the native tongue in the area and refers to the two lakes that occupied the volcano’s crater.
Thank you, Wayne! I have been desperate to know the true definition, so it is excellent that you clarified it.
The term ‘Satan’ arose due to the perceived similarity between the Arabic term for Satan, that is, ‘Shaitan’ when spoken, and ‘Chaitén’.
Naturally, it was not asserted to be the true meaning behind what has transpired to be an apt name!