Iceland's Fiery Volcano

Photographs by John Beatty and Jon Magnusson

Photographer John Beatty traveled to Iceland to photograph an outdoor clothing line. However, when he got word of the volcano's grumbling, he rushed to the site. He not only witnessed the volcanic eruption, but was also able to capture the moment it exploded, spewing tons of smoke and ash into the air.

Video: Amazing Images of Iceland Volcano

Lava Light

Lava spews from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland.

"Bombs of Hot Rock"

Photographer John Beatty said on "The Early Show" that his team had to pull back for safety because bombs of hot rock began to rain down from the erupting volcano.

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Hot Center

IMG_0105-(1).jpg — Photographs by John Beatty and Jon Magnusson

Lava and steam pours from the glacier-topped Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland.

New Earth Rising

Lava cools into hard black rock.

Video: Amazing Images of Iceland Volcano

Shooting Steam

John Beatty traveled to the area to photograph for an outdoor clothing line, and found himself facing what he called one of "nature's majesties."

Clouds Rising

Clouds of smoke, ash and steam rise to the sky above the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland.

Video: Amazing Images of Iceland Volcano

Blue Smoke

Plumes of smoke fill the sky above the volcano.

Eruption Glory

Photographer John Beatty said on "The Early Show" the volcano was "furious" and "raw."

Volcanic Flow

The volcano took out this roadway. However, the volcano's biggest impact was on air travel. Ash-filled skies halted plane traffic across northern Europe for days.

High Rise

Clouds of ash-filled smoke rise above Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano.

Video: Amazing Images of Iceland Volcano

John Beatty

John Beatty and Jon Magnusson(not pictured) captured some of the closest images of Iceland's erupting volcano.

Beatty said on "The Early Show" photographing near the volcano was one of the best experiences with nature he's ever had.

Stunning Sight

Lava spews to the volcano's surface.

Video: Amazing Images of Iceland Volcano

Fountains of Lava

Columns of lava flow forth from the Iceland volcano.

Close Encounter

Beatty and his team took shelter from the glacier's bitter cold in this tiny tent. A short distance away, flaming lava flowed from the volcano's center.

Hot Spike

Bright lava erupts from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano.

A Volcano's Impact

The volcano's white column of smoke could be seen from great distances. The volcanic ash filled the skies and halted many flights for days.

Video: Amazing Images of Iceland Volcano

Blanketing the Sky

Smoke from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano fills the blue sky with ash, steam and smoke.

Fillling the Sky

The volcanic ash has disrupted air travel across northern Europe. However, Beatty says the volcano was a sight to see.

Hot and Cold Meet

A hot, ash-filled cloud rises from the icy surface of the Eyjafjallajokull glacier.

Video: Amazing Images of Iceland Volcano

Camping Close

Beatty and his team took shelter from the glacier's bitter cold in this tiny tent. A short distance away, flaming lava flowed from the volcano's center.

Closer, Closer

Photographers John Beatty and Jon Magnusson inched closer and closer to the volcano's fury, capturing stunning images of the smoke plumes and rising ash.

Right Place, Right Time

John Beatty got a call to come to Iceland from a friend.

Beatty recalled, "He said, 'You have to come see that volcano. It's just incredible.'"

A white column of ash rises above the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland.

Video: Amazing Images of Iceland Volcano

Nature's Majesty

Photographer John Beatty said on "The Early Show" that he's seen some of the most spectacular things that nature can do in the raw, but this "was right up there with some of the best experiences (he's) had."

Ash-Filled Plume

An immense ash cloud rises above the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland.

Video: Amazing Images of Iceland Volcano

Glacier Driving

An SUV driving on Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull glacier.

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Lava Walking

Beatty said after a small earthquake, the vent of the volcano actually closed tight and the volcano stopped spewing lava. So for 12 hours, as the lava was cooling down, Beatty and his team walked through the steam and the smoke.

On the Edge

Beatty and members of his team walked close to the edge of the fiery volcano.

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New Soil

Beatty said, "As I walked along, I knew these were the first human footprints on brand new soil."

"Primeval Garden"

Beatty said on "The Early Show," the experience was like walking through a "primeval garden."

Video: Amazing Images of Iceland Volcano

Beginnings of the Earth

On "The Early Show," Beatty said walking near the volcano was one of the spectacular things he's ever experienced.

Video: Amazing Images of Iceland Volcano