Remarkable images show dozens of tourists standing around to watch the spectacle in the western Indonesian province
Remarkable images show dozens of tourists standing around to watch the spectacle in the western Indonesian province
Jaw-dropping photos show a so-called 'blue volcano' lighting up the skies of Indonesia as mesmerised tourists watch on.

The incredible pictures show the Kawah Ijen volcano in East Java, Indonesia shooting 16-foot-high bright blue beams into the sky in a remarkable display.

According to experts the blue glow isn't actually from the lava, which is a similar colour to most other volcanoes, but from the gas emitted from the mountain.


There is a high quantity of sulphuric gas at Kawah Ijen which when exposed to the oxygen in the air and sparked by the lava burns a bright blue.

Sixteen-foot-high beams of bright blue lights could be seen firing upwards into the night sky during the amazing display
Sixteen-foot-high beams of bright blue lights could be seen firing upwards into the night sky during the amazing display
The Ijen volcano complex has some of the highest levels of sulphur in the world. This dense collection of the gas, when exposed to oxygen and lit by the molten hot lava burns blue.

Gas being emitted from the side of the mountain is said to be ignited by the flowing lava causing the unique reaction and the lights
Gas being emitted from the side of the mountain is said to be ignited by the flowing lava causing the unique reaction and the lights
Unlike regular volcanoes whose bright red lava is visible in the day, Kawah Ijen's blue burning flames can only be seen at night.

The spectacular shots were taken by travel planner Donny Nugraha Pratama, 32, from Tangerang, Indonesia.

Several onlookers chose to shine their own different coloured lights upwards to enhance the display created by the lights
Several onlookers chose to shine their own different coloured lights upwards to enhance the display created by the lights
The blue lights are only available to see at night, meaning tourists have to go to extreme lengths to catch a glimpse of the spectacle
The blue lights are only available to see at night, meaning tourists have to go to extreme lengths to catch a glimpse of the spectacle
Towards the end of the show the sun could be seen coming up on the horizon as the volcano still spewed out blue beams against the sky
Towards the end of the show the sun could be seen coming up on the horizon as the volcano still spewed out blue beams against the sky
A mesmerised man stands taking a photo of the unique sight just meters from the electric blue illuminations in front of him
A mesmerised man stands taking a photo of the unique sight just meters from the electric blue illuminations in front of him