Volcanic lightning: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Rinjani 1994.jpg|thumb|right|Volcanic lightning above an eruption of [[Mount Rinjani]].]] |
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A '''dirty thunderstorm''' (also, ''Volcanic lightning'') is a weather phenomenon that occurs when lightning is produced in a volcanic plume.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/weather/article3889902.ece|title=Dirty thunderstorm shoots lightning from volcano|last=Simons|first=Paul|date=May 8, 2008|publisher=Times Online|accessdate=2009-01-09 | location=London}}</ref> |
A '''dirty thunderstorm''' (also, ''Volcanic lightning'') is a weather phenomenon that occurs when lightning is produced in a volcanic plume.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/weather/article3889902.ece|title=Dirty thunderstorm shoots lightning from volcano|last=Simons|first=Paul|date=May 8, 2008|publisher=Times Online|accessdate=2009-01-09 | location=London}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 16:33, 23 April 2010
A dirty thunderstorm (also, Volcanic lightning) is a weather phenomenon that occurs when lightning is produced in a volcanic plume.[1]
Geography
The most famous image of the phenomenon was photographed by Carlos Gutierrez and occurred in Chile above the Chaiten Volcano.[2] It circulated widely on the internet.[3] Other instances have been reported above Alaska's Mount Augustine volcano,[4] and Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano.[5]
Causes
A study in the journal Science indicated that electrical charges are generated when rock fragments, ash, and ice particles in a volcanic plume collide and produce static charges, just as ice particles collide in regular thunderstorms.
As the plume started going downwind, it seemed to have a life of its own and produced some 300 more or less normal [lightning bolts] ... The implication is that it has produced more charge than it started with. Otherwise [the plume] couldn't continue to make lightning.
—Martin Uman, co-director of the University of Florida Lightning Research program
Volcanic eruptions also release large amounts of water, which may help fuel these thunderstorms.
References
- ^ Simons, Paul (May 8, 2008). "Dirty thunderstorm shoots lightning from volcano". London: Times Online. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
- ^ "Chile Volcano Erupts with Ash and Lightning". National Geographic. May 6, 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
- ^ http://www.cracked.com/blog/7-images-too-badass-to-be-real-that-totally-are/
- ^ Handwerk, Brian (February 22, 2007). "Volcanic Lightning Sparked by "Dirty Thunderstorms"". National Geographic. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
- ^ "Iceland Volcano Pictures: Lightning Adds Flash to Ash". National Geographic. April 19, 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-20.