A Tongan volcano plume produced the most intense lightning rates ever detected

**The Most Intense Lightning Ever Recorded**

The eruption of the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai volcano in January 2022 was one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in recent history. The eruption produced a massive plume of ash and gas that rose into the stratosphere, and it also produced lightning at an unprecedented rate.

In a new study published in the journal *Geophysical Research Letters*, scientists have found that the Hunga Tonga eruption produced the most intense lightning rates ever detected on Earth. The study found that the eruption produced lightning at a rate of up to 2,615 flashes per minute, which is more than any storm ever recorded.

The lightning was produced by the interaction of the ash and gas plume with the atmosphere. The ash and gas plume created a large electric field, which was then discharged in the form of lightning. The lightning was so intense that it caused a hole to form in the ash cloud, allowing sunlight to reach the ground.

The study's findings have important implications for our understanding of volcanic lightning. They suggest that volcanic lightning can be much more intense than previously thought, and they also provide new insights into the mechanisms that produce volcanic lightning.

The study's findings are also relevant to our understanding of atmospheric electricity. The study showed that the lightning from the Hunga Tonga eruption was able to travel long distances, reaching as far as Australia. This suggests that volcanic lightning may play a role in the global distribution of atmospheric electricity.

The study's findings are a reminder of the power of volcanoes and the importance of studying them. Volcanic eruptions can have a significant impact on the environment, and they can also produce lightning that is more intense than any storm ever recorded.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the study:

* The Hunga Tonga eruption produced the most intense lightning rates ever detected on Earth.

* The lightning was produced by the interaction of the ash and gas plume with the atmosphere.

* The lightning was so intense that it caused a hole to form in the ash cloud, allowing sunlight to reach the ground.

* The study's findings have important implications for our understanding of volcanic lightning and atmospheric electricity.