Why does lightning appear in volcanic eruptions?

Often in certain volcanic eruptions there are lightning. Many photographers who have managed to capture these moments have received awards for their photographs. With a mixture of "apocalyptic" and at the same time of "wonder", these precious images are like a manifestation. It is like an appeal to the memory of how fabulous, destructive, awesome and splendid nature can be.

However, we tend to easily associate lightning with strong storms. As if the phenomenon only belonged to them! And not only appear in electric storms: earthquakes with certain "lights"They can even manifest themselves in volcanic eruptions. We explain the reasons for this phenomenon!

How they are produced

This phenomenon, whose existence dates back to AD 79, when the Vesuvius volcano was active. To understand that it is not a recurring coincidence that suddenly a thunderstorm is positioned above, you must first understand the nature of lightning. Is about an electrostatic discharge that is generated from the electric potential differential very large between two places. That is, a differential in the electrical power of two clouds is what would generate lightning. Lightning is the consequent discharge of when the distribution of positive and negative charges they form a large enough electric field.

In the case of volcanic eruptions, the ejected material is theoretically electrically neutral. Ash, clouds, lava, etc. However, what happens is that they come out at very high temperatures, leaving the particles to be neutral, and many are charged either positively or negatively. Others are charging along the way, bumping into each other and producing static electricity. For a ray to exist, the particles must be positioned one to one side and the other to the other. This happens naturally, with the electromagnetic field that is generated. Finally when the load is too high, as in the clouds, a discharge is caused.

If you are interested in knowing about volcanoes, in this link we explain everything about them!


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  1.   Rodolfo Antonio Caravaca Pazos said

    Thank you very much for the information. It was always something that caught my attention and I did not know the causes. a hug