2019/03/16 by Keri Nicoll, Martin Airey, Corrado Cimarelli +7 · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Lightning and Electromagnetic Phenomena #Earthquake Detection and Analysis #Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
paper · pdf · doi:10.1029/2019gl082211
openalex publication_date 2019/03/16 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04
Abstract Volcanic plumes become electrically charged, often producing spectacular displays of lightning. Previous research has focused on understanding volcanic lightning, primarily the large electric fields produced by charging of ash particles. Here we report on the previously overlooked phenomenon of volcanic plume electrification in the absence of detectable ash. We present the first in situ vertical profile measurements of charge, thermodynamic, and microphysical properties inside predominantly gaseous plumes directly above an erupting volcano. Our measurements demonstrate that substantial charge (at least ±8,000 pC/m 3 ) is present in gaseous volcanic clouds without detectable ash. We suggest that plume charging may be enhanced by the emission of radon gas from the volcano, which causes ionization. This presents a hitherto unrecognized, but likely to be common, mechanism for charge generation in volcanic plumes, which is expected to modulate plume characteristics and lifetime. This process is currently neglected in recognized mechanisms of volcanic plume electrification.