Mother Nature puts on a show: a breathtaking moment when lightning strikes an erupting volcano, sending bolts of lightning shooting across the night sky

The incredible moment lightning struck an erupting volcano in Guatemala was caught on camera.

The mesmerizing footage shows multiple bolts of lightning striking the mountain, creating a spider web pattern that streaks and flashes across the sky. The lightning creates a dazzling visual spectacle as they appear to strike lava and smoke rising from the mountain vent.

The footage shows Volcan de Fuego, the Volcano of Fire, and occurred on September 21st. The volcano is considered one of the most active in the world, shooting ash into the sky about every 15 minutes.

The phenomenon of lightning seemingly striking volcanic material as it is thrown into the sky is rarely observed.

So-called “volcanic lightning” is caused by colliding, shattering particles of volcanic ash and sometimes ice, which generate static electricity within the volcanic cloud.

The earliest recorded observations of volcanic lightning come from Pliny the Younger, describing the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

The incredible moment lightning struck an erupting volcano was captured

The breathtaking images show Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala during one of its numerous eruptions last Thursday

So-called “volcanic lightning” is caused by colliding, shattering particles of volcanic ash and sometimes ice, which generate static electricity within the volcanic cloud

Due to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire, Guatemala has an unusually high density of volcanoes

The Roman author and administrator wrote: “There was a most intense darkness, made more terrible by the irregular glow of torches, obscured at intervals by transient flashes of lightning.”

Due to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire, Guatemala has an unusually high density of volcanoes.

There are at least 324 volcanoes and “eruption centers” across the country, which is about half the size of Britain.

Three, Fuego, Pacaya and Santiaguito, are currently active and being monitored by Guatemalan authorities.

Located more than 10,000 feet above sea level, Fuego is the most active stratovolcano in Central America.

Its last significant eruption occurred in December 2022, with ash landing up to 30 miles away.

Its eruption in June 2018 killed more than 300 people and sent ash 30,000 feet above sea level.

The hills surrounding the volcano are dotted with accommodations where tourists can watch the volcano erupt throughout the night.

Recently, heavy rains in the area resulted in a dangerous accumulation of mudslides coupled with heavy ash. In 1541, the mudflow created by the mixture of rain and volcanic ash destroyed Guatemala’s first founded city, Ciudad Vieja, founded by Spanish conquistadors.