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Volcanic lightning is an electrical discharge caused by a volcanic eruption rather than from an ordinary thunderstorm. Volcanic lightning arises from colliding, fragmenting particles of volcanic ash (and sometimes ice ), [ 1 ] [ 2 ] which generate static electricity within the volcanic plume , [ 3 ] leading to the name dirty thunderstorm .
Lightning can also occur during dust storms, forest fires, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, and even in the cold of winter, where the lightning is known as thundersnow. [ 23 ] [ 24 ] Hurricanes typically generate some lightning, mainly in the rainbands as much as 160 km (99 mi) from the center.
For decades, scientists have theorized that volcanic lightning on an early Earth played a crucial role in kickstarting life on the planet by breaking molecules into useful, biological components.
The longer eruptions begin with production of clouds of volcanic ash, sometimes with pyroclastic surges. The amount of magma ejected can be so large that it depletes the magma chamber below, causing the top of the volcano to collapse, resulting in a caldera. Fine ash and pulverized pumice can be deposited over large areas.
As a result, the study estimates that somewhere between 2% and 16% of the oxidizing, or cleaning that happens naturally in the Earth's atmosphere, is done by lightning.
The Cumbre Vieja volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma spewed clouds of ash and other material on November 4, creating volcanic lightning.On Wednesday, explosions showered ash on nearby pine ...
An earthquake light also known as earthquake lightning or earthquake flash is a luminous optical phenomenon that appears in the sky at or near areas of tectonic stress, seismic activity, or volcanic eruptions. [1] There is no broad consensus as to the causes of the phenomenon (or phenomena) involved.
As the year draws to a close, AccuWeather unveils the top three lightning videos that have mesmerized audiences around the globe. Featuring electrifying scenes from volcanic eruptions to strikes ...