Electrical Charging of Volcanic Plumes

James, M. R. and Wilson, L. and Lane, S. and Gilbert, J. and Mather, T. and Harrison, R. and Martin, R. S. (2008) Electrical Charging of Volcanic Plumes. Space Science Reviews, 137 (1). pp. 399-418. ISSN 0038-6308 (Print) 1572-9672 (Online) DOI 10.1007/s11214-008-9362-z

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Abstract

Many explosive terrestrial volcanic eruptions are accompanied by lightning and other atmospheric electrical phenomena. The plumes produced generate large perturbations in the surface atmospheric electric potential gradient and high charge densities have been measured on falling volcanic ash particles. The complex nature of volcanic plumes (which contain gases, solid particles, and liquid drops) provides several possible charging mechanisms. For plumes rich in solid silicate particles, fractoemission (the ejection of ions and atomic particles during fracture events) is probably the dominant source of charge generation. In other plumes, such as those created when lava enters the sea, different mechanisms, such as boiling, may be important. Further charging mechanisms may also subsequently operate, downwind of the vent. Other solar system bodies also show evidence for volcanism, with activity ongoing on Io. Consequently, volcanic electrification under different planetary scenarios (on Venus, Mars, Io, Moon, Enceladus, Tethys, Dione and Triton) is also discussed.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	08AREP IA57 2008 P
Subjects:	05 - Petrology - Igneous, Metamorphic and Volcanic Studies
Divisions:	05 - Petrology - Igneous, Metamorphic and Volcanic Studies
Journal or Publication Title:	Space Science Reviews
Volume:	137
Page Range:	pp. 399-418
Identification Number:	10.1007/s11214-008-9362-z
Depositing User:	Sarah Humbert
Date Deposited:	16 Feb 2009 13:02
Last Modified:	23 Jul 2013 10:07
URI:	http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/id/eprint/432

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