Sunset Illuminated Smoke Plume

A persistent plume of smoke which originated from burning vegetation behind the southern slope of Transmitter Hill headed south towards Christmas Pass, Murahwa Mountain and Chikanga Township. Calm conditions accompanied by a possible atmospheric temperature inversion enabled the plume to maintain its integrity and travel for several kilometres without dispersing. Initially the plume was illuminated bright orange by direct light from the Sun which had set behind the Christmas Pass-Transmitter Hill horizon but after having darkened in the ensuing twilight it was then recolored by bright light being reflected from an emerging and then receding stratospheric volcanic sunset twilight arch. All in all, the impressive smoke plume remained clearly visible to the south-west of Mutare for an hour from sunset to darkness.

Tripod-mounted Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ60 in sunset and manual exposure modes.

Compilation of montage of four pictures taken between 5.12 and 6.09 pm.