An American photographer, who waited years for the chance to capture an epic natural phenomenon on film from his new home in Iceland, was rewarded by a double whammy: an erupting volcano against the spectacular backdrop of the aurora borealis. Preparations for the photo that would become a viral sensation began even before lava flowed. Christopher Mathews, 60, told The Epoch Times, “In early 2020, magma began flowing deep underground in the area between the airport and the capital city of Reykjavík. This indicated there might be an eruption on its way, but it took over a year before the ground finally fractured enough for lava to break through.” The Geldingadalir volcano eruption began in March 2021, a stone’s throw from the world-famous Blue Lagoon resort, and lasted around six months. Mathews visited 10 times to chronicle its changing shape and size. “It was really quite awesome,” he said, “and a …