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This sensational footage show the rare phenomenon of volcanic lightning.

The breath-taking videos were shot close to the active Sakurajima volcano on the Japanese island of Kyushu.

It shows the incredible weather sensation where lightning flashes occur within an erupting ash cloud.

German film-maker Marc Szeglat, 47, shot the volcanic lightning footage, which is caused when hot rocks and gases collide during an eruption and produce static charges.

The result is beautifully striking images of molten lava contrasting with forks of lightning.

It is reported to have erupted between 2-7th March this year.

(Image: Marc Szeglat / Barcroft Media)

Sakurajima, translated as Cherry Island, has been erupting on a regular basis since 1955 and is a constant danger to the nearby city of Kagoshima, which has a population of over 600,000.

Thousands of eruptions take place at the site each year.

An eruption in 1914 was the most powerful in twentieth-century Japan and killed at least 35 people.

(Image: Marc Szeglat / Barcroft Media)

Szeglat said: "There was a delay of several seconds between seeing the eruption and the arrival of the shockwave and sound.

"This was very exciting as I didn't know how strong the shockwave would be.

"But when it happened I felt the breath of wind from the interior of the earth like an extremely brief squall.

"After that, my friend and I laughed loudly and we were very happy."