Electrical Charging of Volcanic Plumes

James, Michael; Wilson, Lionel; Lane, S. J.; Gilbert, Jennifer; Mather, Tamsin A.; Harrison, R. G.; Martin, Robert

doi:10.1007/s11214-008-9362-z

Cited by 90 publications

(77 citation statements)

References 108 publications

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“…Massive dust storms, sometimes covering a significant part of the planet, would also be responsible for intense impact charging at much larger scales (Renno and Kok, 2008). Similar effects involving ice particles and cryovolcanism in much colder environments have been suggested (James et al, 2008). However, these scenarios for planetary atmospheric electricity have yet to be confirmed (Yair et al, 2008).…”

Section: Sources Within the Cavitymentioning

confidence: 91%

A Review of Low Frequency Electromagnetic Wave Phenomena Related to Tropospheric-Ionospheric Coupling Mechanisms

et al. 2011

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Investigation of coupling mechanisms between the troposphere and the ionosphere requires a multidisciplinary approach involving several branches of atmospheric sciences, from meteorology, atmospheric chemistry, and fulminology to aeronomy, plasma physics, and space weather. In this work, we review low frequency electromagnetic wave propagation in the Earthionosphere cavity from a troposphere-ionosphere coupling perspective. We discuss electromagnetic wave generation, propagation, and resonance phenomena, considering atmospheric, ionospheric and magnetospheric sources, from lightning and transient luminous events at low altitude to Alfven waves and particle precipitation related to solar and magnetospheric processes. We review in situ ionospheric processes as well as surface and space weather phenomena that drive troposphere-ionosphere dynamics. Effects of aerosols, water vapor distribution, thermodynamic parameters, and cloud charge separation and electrification processes on atmospheric electricity and electromagnetic waves are reviewed. We also briefly revisit ionospheric irregularities such as spread-F and explosive spread-F, sporadic-E, traveling ionospheric disturbances, Trimpi effect, and hiss and plasma turbulence. Regarding the role of the lower boundary of the cavity, we review transient surface phenomena, including seismic activity, earthquakes, volcanic processes and dust electrification. The role of surface and https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20120011991 2018-05-12T18:35:14+00:00Z atmospheric gravity waves in ionospheric dynamics is also briefly addressed. We summarize analytical and numerical tools and techniques to model low frequency electromagnetic wave propagation and solving inverse problems and summarize in a final section a few challenging subjects that are important for a better understanding of tropospheric-ionospheric coupling mechanisms.

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Section: Sources Within the Cavitymentioning

confidence: 91%

A Review of Low Frequency Electromagnetic Wave Phenomena Related to Tropospheric-Ionospheric Coupling Mechanisms

et al. 2011

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“…During volcanic eruptions, magma fragmentation can contribute to plume charging near the vent (Gilbert et al 1991;James et al 2008). Charged species are ejected from cracked surfaces following material fracture, and the loss of these charged species results in the formation of charged fragments.…”

Section: Charging and Radioactivity In Volcanic Plumesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Applications of Electrified Dust and Dust Devil Electrodynamics to Martian Atmospheric Electricity

et al. 2016

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Atmospheric transport and suspension of dust frequently brings electrification, which may be substantial. Electric fields of 10 kV m −1 to 100 kV m −1 have been observed at the surface beneath suspended dust in the terrestrial atmosphere, and some electrification has been observed to persist in dust at levels to 5 km, as well as in volcanic plumes. The interaction between individual particles which causes the electrification is incompletely understood, and multiple processes are thought to be acting. A variation in particle charge with particle size, and the effect of gravitational separation explains to, some extent, the charge structures observed in terrestrial dust storms. More extensive flow-based modelling demonstrates that bulk electric fields in excess of 10 kV m −1 can be obtained rapidly (in less than 10 s) from rotating dust systems (dust devils) and that terrestrial breakdown fields can be obtained. Modelled profiles of electrical conductivity in the Martian atmosphere suggest the possibility of dust electrification, and dust devils have been suggested as a mechanism of charge separation able to maintain current flow between one region of the atmosphere and another, through a global circuit. Fundamental new understanding of Martian atmospheric electricity will result from the ExoMars mission, which carries the DREAMS (Dust characterization, Risk Assessment, and Environment Analyser on the Martian Surface)-B R.G. Harrison

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“…These discharge events can vary based on length of the discharge channel, time scale of the flash, and distance from the vent [1,2]. In volcanic columns and plumes, charge generation may result from either fractoemission (i.e., the breaking of particles during magma fragmentation) or tribocharging (i.e., the collision of particles and transfer of charge) [3,4]. The separation of ash particles with opposite charge causes development of an electric field, leading to lightning discharge.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Compositional and Mineralogical Effects on Ice Nucleation Activity of Volcanic Ash

et al. 2018

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Volcanic ash produced during explosive eruptions may serve as ice nuclei in the atmosphere, contributing to the occurrence of volcanic lightning due to tribocharging from ice-ice or ice-ash collisions. Here, different ash samples were tested using deposition-mode and immersion-mode ice nucleation experiments. Results show that bulk composition and mineral abundance have no measurable effect on depositional freezing at the temperatures tested, as all samples have similar ice saturation ratios. In the immersion mode, there is a strong positive correlation between K 2 O content and ice nucleation site density at −25 • C and a strong negative correlation between MnO and TiO 2 content at temperatures from −35 to −30 • C. The most efficient sample in the immersion mode has the highest surface area, smallest average grain size, highest K 2 O content, and lowest MnO content. These results indicate that although ash abundance-which creates more available surface area for nucleation-has a significant effect on immersion-mode freezing, composition may also contribute. Consequently, highly explosive eruptions of compositionally evolved magmas create the necessary parameters to promote ice nucleation on grain surfaces, which permits tribocharging due to ice-ice or ice-ash collisions, and contribute to the frequent occurrence of volcanic lightning within the eruptive column and plume during these events.

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Electrical Charging of Volcanic Plumes

Cited by 90 publications

References 108 publications

A Review of Low Frequency Electromagnetic Wave Phenomena Related to Tropospheric-Ionospheric Coupling Mechanisms

A Review of Low Frequency Electromagnetic Wave Phenomena Related to Tropospheric-Ionospheric Coupling Mechanisms

Applications of Electrified Dust and Dust Devil Electrodynamics to Martian Atmospheric Electricity

Compositional and Mineralogical Effects on Ice Nucleation Activity of Volcanic Ash

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