Volcanic lightning occurs due to static electricity generated by the rapid ejection of dust and gas during an eruption, similar to the processes in thunderclouds. The exact reasons for the phenomenon remain unclear, though it is suggested that the colors of volcanic lightning may be influenced by the gases present or the filtering effects of the surrounding ash cloud. Observations indicate that while lightning associated with volcanoes can appear in various colors, this is primarily due to ash obscuring the light, rather than a fundamental difference in the lightning itself. The primary distinction between lightning in thunderstorms and that produced by volcanoes lies in the charge carriers: raindrops in storms versus ash particles in volcanic eruptions.
