Volcanic lightning: exploring the correlation between volcanic eruption, lightning and transient luminous events from 2009 to 2022

Abstract Volcanic activity represents one of the most widespread and destructive natural phenomena on Earth. Previous studies and media reports have indicated that intense volcanic eruptions are frequently accompanied by volcanic lightning. However, understanding the mechanisms of volcanic electrification remains limited due to the infrequent nature of highly explosive eruptions and the relative rarity of volcanic lightning events. To address this knowledge gap, this study developed an algorithm to identify and compile all lightning events associated with volcanic eruptions occurring between April 2009 and February 2022. The analysis draws upon lightning data from the World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) and eruption records from the Global Volcanism Program (GVP) at the Smithsonian Institution. According to the GVP, 490 eruptions were recorded across 170 volcanoes during the study period. Of these, 308 eruptions from 131 volcanoes were found to be associated with volcanic lightning. Eruptions were categorized based on volcano type, explosivity, geographic latitude, and elevation. A positive correlation was observed between the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) and the occurrence rate of volcanic lightning, supporting the link between eruption intensity and electrical activity. Furthermore, the study investigates the relationship between volcanic lightning and Transient Luminous Events (TLE)—distinctive upper atmospheric optical discharges known to be triggered by lightning. Using data from the Imager of Sprite and Upper Atmospheric Lightning (ISUAL) instrument, 131 TLEs, including elves, sprites, halos, and blue jets, were identified as potentially associated with volcanic eruptions. This study presents the first global-scale identification of TLE coincident with volcanic eruptions. While most cases cannot be conclusively attributed to volcanic lightning, a subset of events indicates that, under specific conditions, volcanic lightning may influence the upper atmosphere, thereby extending our understanding of the coupling between volcanic activity and atmospheric electrical processes.