It’s not often we get to witness a volcanic eruption with this much power.

On August 29, the Tavurvur volcano in Papua New Guinea erupted with fanfare. The images and video that were taken during this eruption were incredible, but nearly as amazing as this video that shows Tavurvur exploding with such intensity that it produced a sonic boom.

The video, which was recorded by vacationer Phil McNamara and posted to his wife’s Facebook page late last week, went viral over the weekend. It begins as boating vacationers watch the smoldering volcano from a few miles off the coast. It doesn’t appear that the volcano is very active until about 12 seconds in, when it explodes into eruption. The shock wave from the explosion can be seen as volcanic ash bursts into the air.

Related: Before and after satellite images show extent of volcanic ash

The shock wave is visible as it travels outward from the volcano and through through the wispy clouds in the sky. “Watch out for the shock, it’s coming,” says the photographer.

And then, BOOM. It sounds like a cannon has been shot from the boat itself. “Holy smokin’ Toledoes,” he says. Indeed.

Slate’s “Bad Astronomer” Phil Plait adds his analysis of the video: