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Lights fantastic: Volcanic eruption with Aurora Borealis in the sky behind
Here's one of nature’s most stunning displays – a volcanic eruption beneath a night sky already emblazoned by the Northern Lights.
The photos were taken at Iceland’s Fimmvorduhals pass by Cambridge photographer James Appleton, 25.
Working alongside volcanologists and willing to get within a few hundred feet of an erupting volcano, James was willing to put himself in the firing line to get the perfect shot.
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Spectacular: The volcano glows yellow with the green light behind it
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Northern delights: James Appleton from Cambridge took these shots
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No smoking: The volcano puffs out white smoke into the sky
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Stunner: The Northern Lights are known as Aurora Borealis
James said: I became aware of the Fimmvorduhals volcano through a friend of mine who is an Icelandic volcanologist.
I knew immediately I had to try and get out to see it. On the plane flying over to Iceland I had in my mind's eye the perfect image I wanted to see, which was exactly this combination of an erupting volcano and the Aurora Borealis.
I never dared to hope it might actually happen, but seeing it for real put all the hairs on the back of my neck up.
When I saw the photographs come through the camera I was jumping around with excitement.
On his trip to Iceland, James also took more photos of its stunning landscapes and coastlines.
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Ice cool: The waterfall at Seljalandsfoss
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That's why mum's gone to Iceland: Stunning waterfall at Seljalandsfoss
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Golden arch: Coastal rock near to Buir, NW Iceland
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Sunset: Over the bay near Hsavk, Northern Iceland
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Shepherd's delight: The glacial lake of Jkulsrln under a fading red sunset
http://www.jamesappleton.co.uk/, James wrote about his approach to photography. He said: In everything I photograph, light plays the most important role.
Learning to appreciate how it changes and raises any given scene has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.