<p>From my knowledge, lightning is formed when a static charge develops between ice particles in a cloud, and the charge is neutralized via an electric strike to the ground.<br>
In a volcanic cloud, there is a lot of ash and very high temperatures. The ash is a substitute for the ice particles.  The temperature difference between the ground and air allow for easier charge build-up as well.</p>

<p>Volcanic clouds also cause large updrafts which may result in a storm and "normal" lightning.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-16T23:02:23.943Z
2014-12-16T23:02:23.943Z
unbindall
<p>The discharges are due to the charged particles carried aloft by the plumes rising from or shot from a volcano. The plumes may be dominated by positive charge but usually it also contains regions of negative charge. These regions can discharge to one another or to ground. The current in a discharge can heat the air so intensely that the air expands faster than the speed of the sound &mdash; such expansion sends out a shock wave which reaches an observer (who is hopefully at a safe distance) as a loud boom!</p>

<p>Several effects might account for the charged particles being in the plumes:</p>

<ol>
<li>If water suddenly encounters molten lava, it can bead up in what is called the Leidenfrost effect, floating on vapour layer. Any such large drop quickly splits into charged smaller drops, which are then carried into the atmosphere by the rising plume of hot air and water vapour.</li>
<li>Magma becomes charged when it fractures as it either hits water or crashes through the upper end of volcano conduit and then is ejected in the plume. Once the charged particles are aloft, collisions can transfer charge from one particle to another or even cause additional charging as occurs in Wind - blown dust.</li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-17T05:23:51.123Z
2014-12-17T13:30:47.660Z
2014-12-17T13:30:47.660Z
Murtuza Vadharia
<p>There are many pictures I've seen of lightning coming out of the plume of smoke caused by a volcano (Often called 'Volcano Lightning').</p>

<p>Example:</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/u3obN.jpg" alt="Volcano Lightning"> </p>

<p>Why does this happen?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-17T02:09:38.370Z
Just a note that this phenomenon was described in the 1920s and 1930s by Frank A. Perret, an early volcanologist. I believe there was quite a long lag before it was subjected to further study as noted in the answers. If you are interested Perret's monographs are interesting reading regarding the science in its early days.
haresfur
<volcanology><volcanoes><lightning>
Why does Volcano Lightning occur?
Azzie Rogers
# Why does Volcano Lightning occur?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-12-16)

There are many pictures I've seen of lightning coming out of the plume of smoke caused by a volcano (Often called 'Volcano Lightning').

Example:

![Volcano Lightning](https://i.sstatic.net/u3obN.jpg)

Why does this happen?

**Tags:** volcanology, volcanoes, lightning

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Just a note that this phenomenon was described in the 1920s and 1930s by Frank A. Perret, an early volcanologist. I believe there was quite a long lag before it was subjected to further study as noted in the answers. If you are interested Perret's monographs are interesting reading regarding the science in its early days.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-12-16. Score: 6

From my knowledge, lightning is formed when a static charge develops between ice particles in a cloud, and the charge is neutralized via an electric strike to the ground.  
In a volcanic cloud, there is a lot of ash and very high temperatures. The ash is a substitute for the ice particles. The temperature difference between the ground and air allow for easier charge build-up as well.

Volcanic clouds also cause large updrafts which may result in a storm and "normal" lightning.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2014-12-17. Score: 5

The discharges are due to the charged particles carried aloft by the plumes rising from or shot from a volcano. The plumes may be dominated by positive charge but usually it also contains regions of negative charge. These regions can discharge to one another or to ground. The current in a discharge can heat the air so intensely that the air expands faster than the speed of the sound — such expansion sends out a shock wave which reaches an observer (who is hopefully at a safe distance) as a loud boom!

Several effects might account for the charged particles being in the plumes:

1. If water suddenly encounters molten lava, it can bead up in what is called the Leidenfrost effect, floating on vapour layer. Any such large drop quickly splits into charged smaller drops, which are then carried into the atmosphere by the rising plume of hot air and water vapour.
2. Magma becomes charged when it fractures as it either hits water or crashes through the upper end of volcano conduit and then is ejected in the plume. Once the charged particles are aloft, collisions can transfer charge from one particle to another or even cause additional charging as occurs in Wind - blown dust.


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