Spectacular time-lapse footage has emerged from Mexico of the Colima volcano erupting while lightning strikes in the middle of the ash cloud.

The video sequences, filmed at night between October 25 and November 1, show the strange phenomenon in the middle of the ash cloud, which occurs when friction between ash particles causes rapid build up of static charges which discharge in the form of volcanic lightning.

The filmer used using specialised equipment for night photography allowing unprecedented detail.

Spectacular timelapse animations of nighttime eruptions at Mexico's dangerous Colima volcano. Friction between ash particles in the rising ash clouds causes rapid buildup of static charges which discharge in the form of volcanic lightning. Colima volcano has been showing a mixture of explosive and effusive activity in recent years and is thought to be in the buildup phase to the climax of its latest eruptive cycle. The climactic eruptions can be highly destructive and present a major hazard to the local population.
Sequences taken between 25. Oct and 01. Nov. 2015 using specialized equipment for night photography allowing unprecedented detail.