Using lightning to predict volcanoes

Nature : People have known since ancient times that volcanic eruptions are often accompanied by lightning. Over the past several years two groups have used different types of sensors to measure the radiation from lightning discharges in order to determine volcanic activity. A team from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro and the University of Alaska Fairbanks used very high frequency antennas located on Alaska’s Mount Redoubt to record the radiation from lightning discharges when the volcano erupted in 2009. Another method is employed by the UK Meteorological Office, which uses very low frequency radio waves to detect lightning from eruptions more than 10 000 kilometers away. Combining the two methods could help forecasters provide early warning of volcanic eruptions and any ensuing dangerous ash clouds, which can disrupt air travel and cause other problems.