Volcanic Lightning
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
2015
Keywords
Electrification, Explosivity, Flash, Lightning, Near-vent lightning, Plume lightning, Vent discharges
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-385938-9.00062-6
Abstract
Volcanic lightning is a manifestation of electrical processes that occur in rising ash columns from explosive eruptions. Recent studies show the existence of three types of lightning: (1) vent discharges (small scale, short duration flashes right at the vent at the time of eruption), (2) near-vent lightning (medium scale, medium duration flashes above the vent in the first few minutes), and (3) plume lightning (sub-kilometer to large scale, long duration flashes beginning several minutes after eruption onset and lasting many minutes as the plume drifts downwind). The plume lightning resembles ordinary thunderstormlightning, and water and ice play important roles. Lightning has been reported at nearly 400 eruptions at 152 volcanoes. Although detailed studies are in the early stages, lightning has good potential to improve monitoring for explosive eruptions.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Volcanic Lightning, in H. Sigurdsson (Ed.), The Encyclopedia of Volcanoes (2nd Ed.), Academic Press, p. 1059-1067
Scholar Commons Citation
McNutt, Stephen R. and Thomas, Ronald J., "Volcanic Lightning" (2015). School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications. 1436.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/geo_facpub/1436
