It caused havoc in airports across Europe, raised fears of an impending apocalypse and terrorised newsreaders around the globe. But for all its menace, Iceland’s Eyjafjallajˆkull volcano did provide a visual spectacular for any lucky enough to witness it.

Unperturbed by the potential disruption he may face, photographer Sean Stiegemeier packed his bags and headed towards the smoke to, in his own words, better all the mediocre photos of the eruption.

On viewing the results, produced using some specialist time-lapse camera mounts combined with a Canon 5D Mk. II, it’s hard to argue that he didn’t achieve his goal –

Iceland, Eyjafjallajˆkull – May 1st and 2nd, 2010 from Sean Stiegemeier on Vimeo.