a somewhat common mechanism.

Plume height

The height of the ash plume appears to be linked with the mechanism which generates the lightning. In taller ash plumes (7-12 km) large concentrations of water vapor may contribute to lightning activity, while smaller ash plumes (1-4 km) appear to gain more of their electric charge from fragmentation of rocks near the vent of the volcano (fractoemission). The atmospheric temperature also plays a role in the formation of lightning. Colder

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