Monitoring lightning and electrification in volcanic plumes

Abstract

Detection of the electrical discharges and, more fundamentally, the electrification from volcanic plumes is an emerging capability for volcano monitoring. In addition to being able to detect an explosive eruption, such measurements also provide insight into volcanic processes. Volcanic lightning monitoring can be achieved through varying levels of complexity. At the lowest complexity, an observatory can use low-cost global lightning data sets for eruption detection and characterization, while at the highest complexity local lightning sensors can be installed to improve the level of observational detail and response times. This chapter provides background about volcanic lightning and plume electrification, information concerning the relevant instrumentation to detect lightning and electrified plumes, examples of how lightning can be used to understand eruptive processes, and a guide to implementing volcanic lightning detection into a monitoring scheme.