5,000 evacuated as volcano blast meets storm in the Chilean sky

Times Online:

Two of nature’s most spectacular forces produced an incredible brew in the skies of Chile as a volcanic eruption met a lightning storm.

Tonnes of dust and ash from the eruption of the Chaitén volcano poured into the night sky just as an electric storm passed overhead.

The resulting collision created a spectacular sight as lightning flickered around the dust cloud amid the orange glow of the volcano.

Here's a video report, courtesy of BBC News.

Update: More photos via Wired Science