SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 19 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
In a recent study, the Canary Islands Volcanological Institute (Involcan) and the Institute of Technology and Renewable Energy (ITER), both under the Tenerife Island Council, have delved into research on the Tajogaite volcano (La Palma), revealing a connection between electrical activity and explosive eruptions.
The study, featured in a scientific journal by the Nature group, was a collaboration among researchers from Involcan and ITER, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich (Germany), Bristol Industrial and Research Associates Ltd (Biral), and the University of Bath (United Kingdom).
The study has shown promising results in obtaining real-time information on the dynamic progression of explosive volcanic activity through electrostatic monitoring.
Analysis of the electrical signals generated by La Palma’s Tajogaite volcano in 2021 suggests that volcanic lightning can provide significant insights into an eruption, including its origin and the ash cloud’s direction, as mentioned in a release from the Cabildo.
The research focuses on how different eruptive styles impact the formation of electrical charges and discharges within a volcanic plume, an area that still holds many mysteries.
Specifically, the study outlines that the identification of volcanic lightning has proven beneficial for volcanic surveillance by offering details on the eruption, its origin, and the ash cloud’s movements.
Nevertheless, the influence of varying eruptive styles on the creation of electrical charges and discharges within the volcanic plume remains largely unknown.
During the eruption of Tajogaite in La Palma, researchers took advantage by continuously monitoring changes in electrical activity over multiple weeks using an electrostatic lightning detector.
Results indicate that the electrification of silicate particles is the primary mechanism during the eruption.
Additionally, the nature of the electrical activity was found to be closely associated with the style of the explosive eruption.
Fluctuations in the rates of electrical discharges are likely influenced by changes in the eruption pace or shifts in the eruptive style, as mentioned by the council.
These discoveries offer promising prospects for accessing real-time information on the dynamic advancement of explosive volcanic activity through electrostatic surveillance.
This research has been featured in the esteemed ‘Communications Earth & Environment’ journal by the ‘Nature’ publishing group, which showcases top-notch research papers, reviews, and discussions on Earth Science, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences.
