What are some recent pictures of Chilean volcano eruptions?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around recent volcanic eruptions in Chile, specifically focusing on the visual phenomena associated with these events, such as volcanic lightning and the effects of ash clouds. Participants share links to photographs and engage in a dialogue about the nature of the images, the science behind volcanic lightning, and historical accounts related to such phenomena.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Historical

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express amazement at the pictures of the volcanic eruptions and inquire about the conditions under which they were taken, including whether the images show lightning and if they were captured at night.
  • There is a discussion about the phenomenon of volcanic lightning, with references to Wikipedia and historical accounts from Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger, noting that the exact mechanisms of this lightning are not fully understood.
  • One participant suggests that the lightning observed in the photographs is real and generated by the ash cloud, while also noting the presence of stars in the long exposure images.
  • A recent paper on volcanic lightning is shared, proposing that charge separation occurs in the volcanic plume and vent, influenced by water content and atmospheric conditions.
  • Participants share links to professional-grade photographs showcasing various lightning discharge effects associated with volcanic activity.
  • There are humorous remarks about the dangers of being near a volcanic eruption, with one participant reflecting on experiences related to volcanic ash affecting vehicles.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the specifics of volcanic lightning or the historical accounts related to it. Multiple viewpoints and interpretations are presented, particularly regarding the contributions of Pliny the Elder and Younger, and the nature of the lightning phenomena.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to historical texts and scientific literature, but there are unresolved questions regarding the mechanisms of volcanic lightning and the accuracy of historical accounts. Participants express uncertainty about the details of these phenomena.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying geology, meteorology, or history, as well as individuals fascinated by natural phenomena and their visual representations.

Evo
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This is from yesterday's volcano activity.

chilevolcanolightning65.jpg


http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Volcano-erupts-Chile/ss/events/wl/060611chilevolcano
 
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Trying to get a little orientation here. Is that looking at the volcano from the ground? Or is that taken as someone is swinging the camera running for their life?
Is that lightning in there? Is that taken at night or is it just that dark from the ash? Thanks. :bugeye: Wow!
 
Amazing pictures!
 
Lacy33 said:
...
Is that lightning in there?...

Wikipedia mentions the phenomenon of volcanic lightning
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning
and farther down the page discusses several types of lightning which can be *triggered* by volcanic eruptions. The exact mechanism (as with some other forms of lightning) is not fully understood.
It says Pliny the Elder witnessed an eruption of Vesuvius around 79 CE and described volcanic lightning in his report.

I can't be sure of that. The report of volcanic lightning may have come down to us from his nephew Pliny the Younger, who was also present at the eruption and who wrote about it in this letter:
"...The carts that we had ordered brought were moving in opposite directions, though the ground was perfectly flat, and they wouldn't stay in place even with their wheels blocked by stones. In addition, it seemed as though the sea was being sucked backwards, as if it were being pushed back by the shaking of the land. Certainly the shoreline moved outwards, and many sea creatures were left on dry sand. Behind us were frightening dark clouds, rent by lightning twisted and hurled, opening to reveal huge figures of flame. These were like lightning, but bigger. At that point the Spanish friend urged us strongly: "If your brother and uncle is alive, he wants you to be safe. If he has perished, he wanted you to survive him. So why are you reluctant to escape?" We responded that we would not look to our own safety as long as..."
 
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Evo said:
This is from yesterday's volcano activity.

chilevolcanolightning65.jpg


http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Volcano-erupts-Chile/ss/events/wl/060611chilevolcano

Seriously:
I'm strongly tempted to bring my non-existent kid into that natural spectacle he'll never forget!
:smile:
 
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arildno said:
Seriously:
I'm strongly tempted to bring my non-existent kid into that natural spectacle he'll never forget!
:smile:
You're so bad. :biggrin:
 
Lacy33 said:
Trying to get a little orientation here. Is that looking at the volcano from the ground? Or is that taken as someone is swinging the camera running for their life?
Is that lightning in there? Is that taken at night or is it just that dark from the ash? Thanks. :bugeye: Wow!
That is real lightning, generated by the ash cloud. The streaks that you see are stars imaged in that long exposure. Breaks in the star-trails are indicative of short-term obstructions. Picture taken during night from a ground location.
 
marcus said:
Wikipedia mentions the phenomenon of volcanic lightning
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning
and farther down the page discusses several types of lightning which can be *triggered* by volcanic eruptions. The exact mechanism (as with some other forms of lightning) is not fully understood.
It says Pliny the Elder witnessed an eruption of Vesuvius around 79 CE and described volcanic lightning in his report.
Hmm..Pliny the Elder DIED in the aftermath of that eruption, Pliny the Younger described it in his letters..
 
arildno said:
Hmm..Pliny the Elder DIED in the aftermath of that eruption, Pliny the Younger described it in his letters..
I just saw your post. I agree on both counts. I just quoted a bit from a letter by Pliny the Younger describing volcanic lightning.

It still seems possible that the Elder may also have documented the phenomenon before his death, since he initially observed it for some hours from a safe vantage point. I gather he died only after taking a small boat into shore to rescue some friends and getting stranded himself (though it seems that others of the party escaped .)
 
  • #10
marcus said:
I just saw your post. I agree on both counts. I just quoted a bit from a letter by Pliny the Younger describing volcanic lightning.

It still seems possible that the Elder may also have documented the phenomenon before his death, since he initially observed it for some hours from a safe vantage point. I gather he died only after taking a small boat into shore to rescue some friends and getting stranded himself (though it seems that others of the party escaped .)

Am I seeing, err... reading a ghost, Marcus, you don't often visit us over here outside the cosmology, physics, BSM, realm, I take it volcanoes are another one of your interests.
Just sayin...

Rhody...
 
  • #11
marcus said:
I just saw your post. I agree on both counts. I just quoted a bit from a letter by Pliny the Younger describing volcanic lightning.

It still seems possible that the Elder may also have documented the phenomenon before his death, since he initially observed it for some hours from a safe vantage point. I gather he died only after taking a small boat into shore to rescue some friends and getting stranded himself (though it seems that others of the party escaped .)
Yes, it is PLiny the Younger's personal observations, rather than relating the ones of his uncle (i.e, the Elder)
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/tut/final/pliny.html

From what I remember, Pliny the Elder was actually perfectly safe, but his administative duties /I think he was an admiral at that time), forced him on an inspection tour on which he succumbed to toxic fumes.

I might be wrong on that, though..
 
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  • #12
Here is a recent paper on volcanic lightning, with references to several others.
http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/5/4/044013/pdf/1748-9326_5_4_044013.pdf

The authors seem to conclude that in this case charge separation occurs in the plume and at the vent. They seem to think that water content of the plume and local atmospheric conditions may affect the quantity of lightning strokes discharged in the plume.

Because volcano lightning falls into the general category of ground to atmosphere discharge, I'm tempted to characterize it as positive in charge.

Respectfully submitted,
Steve
 
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  • #13
And I felt happy after taking pictures of a thunderstorm in Warsaw
 
  • #14
Borek said:
And I felt happy after taking pictures of a thunderstorm in Warsaw
Those pix were great, Borek, and I am pretty glad (personally) that I'm not next to a large volcanic eruption! I had good friends near Mt St Helens when that one blew up, and the life-expectancy of their compact car and van went WAY down. That really abrasive fine dust got into everything! I would have loved to have had a shade-tree mechanic business replacing air filters, re-packing bearings, greasing auto frame elements, etc. Dealerships were cleaning up, even at their overblown labor rates.
 
  • #15
http://blogs.publico.es/mesadeluz/4195/el-volcan-puyehue

Stunning series of professional grade photos showing showing mammoth electrical arcs, glows, corkscrews, "tadpoles", globules and various other lightning discharge effects in a wide variety of colors. Also seen are ash clouds resembling mammatus clouds. It's easy to see how the mythic imagination could find dragons and firebirds in these images.

Respectfully submitted,
Steve
 
  • #16
Dotini said:
http://blogs.publico.es/mesadeluz/4195/el-volcan-puyehue

Stunning series of professional grade photos showing showing mammoth electrical arcs, glows, corkscrews, "tadpoles", globules and various other lightning discharge effects in a wide variety of colors. Also seen are ash clouds resembling mammatus clouds. It's easy to see how the mythic imagination could find dragons and firebirds in these images.

Respectfully submitted,
Steve

Wow, those are really fantastic!
 
  • #17
As turbo mentioned, the stars appearing as streaks indicates the picture is a long duration exposure, making it appear as if all of those lightning bolts occurred at the same time instead of being spread out over time.

If you could measure the length of the star streaks (as an angle), you could figure out the frequency of the lightning bolts (the Earth rotates 15 degrees per hour).
 
  • #20
hey Don,

yes that's real time the stuff from ~ 30 secs to to the end of the clip

haven seen one eruption in New Zealand and videos of many others over the years. You would be astounded at the forces/pressure that is being released from some of these large events
"its really pumpin'" :)

Dave
 

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