WATER AND THE GENERATION OF VOLCANIC ELECTRICITY

Abstract

Electrical measurements, made both in the laboratory and at Surtsey volcano, have indicated that highly charged clouds are generated when water comes into contact with molten lava. An examination of the literature has revealed a number of cases where electrical activity in volcanic clouds appeared to be caused by this process. The significance of this charge generation mechanism, as opposed to others that undoubtedly operate in volcanic eruptions, remains to be established.