5. Tropical Cyclones: Blue Sparks in the Eye Wall
Particularly in their eye wall, tropical cyclones—including typhoons and hurricanes—are vast storm systems capable of creating amazing displays of blue lightning. Most strong winds and precipitation occur on the eye wall, the area of the storm encircling the still eye. It also is a centre of electrical activity. Strong updrafts produced as the warm, moist air rises quickly in the eye wall separate electrical charges. Frequent, strong lightning strikes follow from here; some of them seem blue. The top sections of the eye wall, where the air is cooler and drier, often show the blue hue more clearly. One way tropical cyclone researchers measure storm intensity is by lightning detection. Blue lightning in the eye wall can point to quite strong updrafts and a rather severe storm. Witnessing blue lightning in a tropical cyclone is a rare and breathtaking event for storm chasers and hurricane hunters that highlights the most extreme power of nature.
6. Volcanic Eruptions: Electric Blue in Ash Clouds
Blue lightning finds a distinctive and dramatic backdrop from volcanic eruptions. Volcanoes generate their own weather systems including lightning storms as they release ash and gases into the atmosphere. Sometimes known as a “dirty thunderstorm,” the phenomena of volcanic lightning results from the collision of ash particles creating static electricity. Sometimes this lightning seems blue, producing an amazing contrast against the dark ash cloud. The dry, particle-filled air surrounding the volcano lets the blue wavelengths go farther without dispersing, which makes the colour especially noticeable. Researchers of volcanic lightning have noted that the blue flashes usually start early in the eruption while the plume is still somewhat dry. For volcanologists, this blue lightning is a useful instrument in addition to a stunning visual show. Through tracking the frequency and intensity of blue lightning in volcanic plumes, scientists can learn about the type and direction of eruptions, so enhancing early warning systems for volcanic activity.