For those of us in Texas, the above photo would be cause for alarm, or if we weren’t actually fleeing from destruction, a moment of awe for nature’s power. But actually, it’s even more amazing than that. Artist Matthew Albanese creates tiny detailed models from various materials. Through the use of various photographic techniques and lighting skill he transform these models into powerful and sometimes otherworldly images. The above image was made out of steel wool, cotton, ground parsley and moss.

Check out the link below for an amazingly lifelike volcano, a print of which is available for sale at the Daniel Cooney Gallery in New York.

Strange Worlds by Matthew Albanese (via Neatorama)