The moment lightning bolts and volcanoes meet... Watch the phenomenon of volcanic lightning in Guatemala

ArabiaWeather - An expectant crowd of people witnessed one of the most active volcanoes in Central America spewing ash and glowing lava. As the storm lashed the sky, lightning lit up the horizon every now and then.

A column of ash appeared, and a lightning bolt shot out from a cloud, lighting up the night sky, while thunder echoed in the air, making the audience stand in awe.

Volcanic lightning phenomenon in Guatemala..

Praise God. pic.twitter.com/O20xZOQjJI

- Khalid Aljahwari (@k_k_Aljahwari) May 29, 2024

Can volcanoes create their own lightning?

Volcanoes can generate lightning themselves. The accelerating gray particles rub against each other inside the volcanic cloud, producing a static electrical charge, as happens when you rub a balloon with a cloth. This interaction can lead to the generation of lightning.

According to scientists from the University of Hawaii Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes, collisions between small particles of volcanic material at high speeds lead to the separation of electrical charges within the volcanic cloud, causing lightning.

During the eruption, the volcano spewed ash, particles and hot gas to a height of about 1,000 feet, and over a distance of more than 18 miles, according to the National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology of Guatemala. A 2013 study showed that electrically charged ash particles can travel hundreds of miles from the site of the volcano. .

Lightning occurs when opposite charges accumulate sufficiently, resulting in a rapid electrical discharge known as lightning. The lightning extends through a conductive channel about an inch or two in diameter, according to NOAA.

Fire volcano 2018

In the 2018 Fire Volcano eruption, scientists found that the eruption began around 2 p.m., ash was released before 5 p.m., the first lightning bolt appeared at 6:14 p.m., and the lightning continued until 10 p.m., when researchers counted 75 unique flashes.

The eruption on June 3, 2018 killed 165 people, and 260 others are still missing, according to Guatemalan authorities.

See also:

What is the role of volcanoes in changing Earth's temperature?

The largest active volcano in Europe erupts despite the snow

Sources:

foxweather