In the initial phases of the eruption on June 12, 2009, the International Space Station was flying above the site, enabling astronauts to capture images of the occurrence. A gap in the clouds above, likely formed by the explosion's shock wave, provided an unobstructed view of both the ash plume and the pyroclastic flow descending the mountain's slopes. #initialphases #eruption #june12 #2009 #internationalspacestation #flying #astronauts