Lightning can occur during volcanic eruptions due to the friction between ash, rock particles, and gases inside the volcanic plume, creating electrical charges that discharge as lightning.
Volcanic lightning occurs when ash particles, rocks, and crystals expelled during an eruption collide within the volcanic plume. These repeated collisions generate an accumulation of electrostatic charges, much like when you rub a balloon against a sweater. As these charges increase, they eventually become so intense that they create an electric discharge, resulting in these spectacular lightning strikes. The denser and more turbulent the plume is, the more friction there is, and the more numerous and impressive the lightning becomes.
In volcanic plumes, the intense friction between ash, gases, and rocks causes the emergence of an electrostatic charge. Particles continuously collide and strip away electrons, making them electrically charged. Small particles tend to rise, positively charged, while larger ones fall back down and often accumulate a negative charge. When the electrical difference between charged areas becomes too great, bam: it's volcanic lightning. Basically, it's a bit like rubbing a balloon on your hair, but with millions of tons of burning ash being propelled at high speed.
These somewhat special lightning strikes appear mainly when the atmosphere around the volcano is particularly charged with humidity, which facilitates the formation of ice particles in the volcanic plume. This ice helps to better separate electric charges within the cloud, hence the lightning. Also, when the plume reaches a quite impressive height, with a good amount of very fine volcanic ash, it stirs enough to amplify electrical friction and promote lightning. In short, the more vigorously the volcano erupts, the higher the cloud rises, the longer it stays, and the better the conditions are for this kind of electric spectacle.
The spectacular eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull in 2010 provided one of the most famous examples of volcanic lightning: its immense black plume was illuminated by a striking network of violet and blue lightning, observed and photographed by astonished witnesses across Europe. Similarly, during the explosive eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 in the United States, electrical discharges were clearly documented in broad daylight, resulting in impressive electrical phenomena. In Japan, in 2015, the particularly active Sakurajima volcano also offered spectacular scenes with intense series of lightning captured in images by local media, quickly becoming viral on the Internet. Another emblematic case: the eruption of the Chilean volcano Calbuco in April 2015, whose ash-laden plume generated abundant and bright lightning, providing a stunning spectacle widely reported worldwide.
Volcanic lightning can trigger fires by striking nearby vegetation, causing local damage to forests and disrupting ecosystems. They also generate large quantities of ozone by interacting with volcanic gases, which can temporarily influence the air chemistry in the region. These lightning strikes sometimes produce electromagnetic waves capable of briefly disrupting radio and satellite communications. Finally, their impressive light activity offers researchers and photographers spectacular moments to study or simply observe — but caution, it's still quite a powerful electrical discharge in an explosive environment!
The first documented description of lightning observed during a volcanic eruption dates back to the time of Pliny the Younger, a direct witness of the eruption of Vesuvius that destroyed Pompeii in 79 AD.
Some volcanic plumes can generate thousands of lightning strikes in just a few hours, thus demonstrating the intensity of the electrostatic charges accumulated during these eruptions!
Volcanic lightning is sometimes used as an early indicator of the potential intensity and duration of an eruption, thus helping to anticipate possible safety measures.
Volcanic rocks known as 'fulgurites' can be formed when a lightning strike hits the ground or volcanic ash directly, creating fascinating natural sculptures in the form of glassy tubes.
Volcanic lightning is more commonly observed around volcanoes with high explosive activity, such as Sakurajima in Japan, Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland, and Kelud in Indonesia, due to their ability to release large quantities of electrically charged ash particles into the atmosphere.
No, not all volcanic eruptions necessarily produce lightning. Their occurrence mainly depends on the amount of ash ejected, the composition of the particles, the density of the volcanic plume, and the prevailing atmospheric conditions.
Volcanic lightning can be observed both during the day and at night. However, their visibility is generally better at night, thanks to the sharper contrast with the surrounding darkness.
Scientists use various instruments such as high-speed cameras, weather radars, and specialized electrical activity detectors to analyze the lightning generated during volcanic eruptions, with the aim of understanding their mechanism and frequency.
Yes, these lightning strikes pose a real danger to air traffic by causing disruptions in the electronic systems of aircraft, reducing visibility, and exacerbating the risks already associated with volcanic clouds composed of abrasive ash.
Yes, volcanic lightning can pose a significant danger as it presents an electrical risk, causes wildfires, and can disrupt local electrical systems.
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