The electrification of volcanic plumes and volcanic lightning

Details The electrification of volcanic plumes and volcanic lightning The electrification of volcanic plumes and volcanic lightning

Dec 2006

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006agufmae53a0286h&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2006, abstract #AE53A-0286

Other

0370 Volcanic Effects (8409), 3304 Atmospheric Electricity, 3324 Lightning, 5215 Origin Of Life, 5480 Volcanism (6063, 8148, 8450)

Scientific paper

We present a review of our current understanding of the electrification of volcanic plumes on Earth and discuss the possible implications both in terms of the volcanic monitoring, early Earth evolution and planetary exploration. We also present simple calculations to show how the global electrical circuit might be modified following a large volcanic eruption reaching the stratosphere. Volcanic lightning is perhaps the most spectacular consequence of the electrification of volcanic plumes. Recent years have seen remote-sensing measurements of volcanic lightning used as part of a portfolio of techniques to monitor volcanic eruptions. Surface observations of the atmospheric electric Potential Gradient (PG) and the charge carried on volcanic ash also show that many volcanic plumes, whilst not sufficiently electrified to produce lightning, have detectable electrification exceeding that of their surrounding environment. Electrification has only been observed associated with ash-rich explosive plumes, but there is little evidence that the composition of the ash is critical to its occurrence. Different conceptual theories for charge generation and separation in volcanic plumes have been developed to explain the disparate observations obtained, but the ash fragmentation mechanism appears to be key. It is unclear which mechanisms or combinations of electrification mechanisms dominate in different circumstances. Electrostatic forces play an important role in modulating dry fall-out of ash from a volcanic plume. Beyond the local electrification of plumes, the higher stratospheric particle concentrations following a large explosive eruption may affect the global atmospheric electrical circuit. It is possible that this might present another, if minor, way by which large volcanic eruptions affect global climate. Volcanic lightning has been implicated in a number of ways in the origin of life on Earth, and may also exist in other planetary atmospheres where measurements of its occurrence might give clues about the nature of volcanism on other planets. The direct hazard of volcanic lightning to communities on Earth is generally low compared to other aspects of volcanic activity.

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