Visible from outer space: Incredible satellite footage captures the moment Iceland's volcano erupted

Last updated at 11:27 PM on 24th May 2011

Perhaps this is what Rapture believers thought doomsday would look like.

Firing bolts of lightning from within its churning depths, a molten plume of volcanic ash bursts through the clouds and spews into space.

Some 12 miles beneath this vast canopy of pulverised rock and glass rumbles Grimsvotn - Iceland's angriest volcano. It better resembles an apocalyptic vision from a Hollywood storyboard than a real-life cataclysm on earth.

Satellite image of the volcanic ash cloud

These amazing images were taken from a satellite in outer space and give an unparalleled impression of the raw - yet magnificent - power of mother nature.

Already the thick ash cloud has cast a dark shadow over the North Atlantic nation, blotting out the sun over many miles of countryside.

And it shows no sign of slowing, as fears grow over the safety of airspace across northern Europe.

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The towering plume of Icelandic ash, smoke and steam hit Scotland and Ireland last night, bringing disruption to airlines, leading to the cancellation of 252 flights - and forecasters say the plume is expected to reach Heathrow airport by 1pm bringing further chaos.

British Airways and a host of other airlines have cancelled all flights between London and Scotland until 2pm today, and the Civil Aviation Authority has said the ash cloud is moving unpredictably and changing by the hour.

Hell on earth: Molten rock, ash, fire and lightning pour from the mouth of Grimsvotn

Wrath of the gods: Fire in the clouds lights up the sky above a hamlet near the violent volcano

23rd May 2011. Pictures of the eruption of Volcano Grimsvotn in Iceland.

Belly of the beast: The ash cloud is blown hundreds of miles from the volcano's mouth, left, while powerful eruptions continue to be seen at close range

Apocalyptic nightmare: Lightning crackles through the vast plume of ash in scenes reminiscent of Hollywood blockbuster Ghostbusters 2

The eruption of the Grimsvotn volcano sends thousands of tonnes of volcanic ash into the sky on May 23, 2011 above Iceland.

A NASA MODIS satellite image acquired at 1205 GMT on May 23, 2011 shows the ash plume from the Grimsvotn volcano, under the Vatnajokull glacier in southeast Iceland.

Above and below: The swirling clouds oscillate above the volcano while its power can be seen from a NASA MODIS satellite image in outer space

Are you mad: A lone 4x4 drives towards the volcano, that has blotted out the sun for miles around

Heavens above! The terrifying power of Grimsvotn is more magnificent than any Hollywood movie

Raw power: The ash plume resembles an atomic bomb explosion as it rises into the atmosphere

Dark canopy: Already the thick ash cloud has cast a dark shadow over the North Atlantic nation, blotting out the sun over many miles of countryside

Murk: The headlights of two vehicles barely penetrate the gloom in Grimsvotn

Blackout: Residents can't tell if it's day or night as this one wipes ash from his windscreen

Staying alive: Sheep raise an ash cloud as they run in a field near Kirkjubaearklaustur 162 miles from ReykjavÌk, left, but not all made it, right

A dead lamb lies covered in ash near Kirkjubaearklaustur 260 km (162 miles) from ReykjavÌk, Iceland

Staying alive: Sheep raise an ash cloud as they run in a field near Kirkjubaearklaustur 162 miles from ReykjavÌk, left, but not all made it, like this lamb, right