OT: Chaiten Volcano lightning storms

Fenring · 05-09-2008, 10:46 AM

In case you missed it, Chaiten Volcano in southern Chile erupted couple of days ago, forcing app. 4,500 people to evacuate from their homes. This volcano supposedly has not erupted in at least 2,000 years.

sattelite image:

view from the ground:

I've seen recordings of lightning storms from the clouds of volcano ash, but this one is just incredible. I've never seen anything like it, or thought it possible:

Here's a link to a bigger jpg of the first image of lightning storm: http://galacticcentral.org/imagebucket/volcano.jpg

ckcarr · ckcarr's Garage

Lightning is dangerous. When coupled with an erupting volcano you then need to seek shelter for yourself and your motorcycle.

AZ-Twin · 05-09-2008, 11:38 AM

Very cool pictures. Sorry for those displaced.

ExarKunONe · 05-09-2008, 01:53 PM

Its alive!

Tirebiter · 05-09-2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckcarr

Lightning is dangerous. When coupled with an erupting volcano you then need to seek shelter for yourself and your motorcycle.

......and something ought to be done about all that pollution! Criminey, call the EPA.

Neat pics nonetheless......

Mr. Deltoid · 05-09-2008, 05:31 PM

Kinda reminds me of the latest War of the Worlds with Tom "Da Couch" Cruz.Alien war vehicles landing under the cover of mother nature.Run, Run , your all gunna die!!

Fenring · 05-10-2008, 04:11 AM

It's quite impressive. There's even a couple of green bolts on both pictures. I read somewhere those are from ionized oxygen (as opposed to ionized nitrogen, I guess).

PFFOG · 05-10-2008, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExarKunONe

Its alive!

Primordial Soup???

Steve Carlton · 05-10-2008, 05:46 AM

None of that ash better land on my car.

Tirebiter · 05-10-2008, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

None of that ash better land on my car.

It is good that your area is beginning to quiet down Steve...

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsus/Maps/US10/32.42.-125.-115.php
Map Centered at 37°N, 120°W

bill pierce · 05-10-2008, 06:58 AM

I was out riding my bike when Mt St Helen's erupted in 1980. The sky got real dark. I thought it was a big thunder storm.

When I got home my wife told me what happened. About an hour later the ash started falling. When it was all done we had about 3 inches of ash on the road.

That kept me off the bike for a few days!

John Lyon · 05-10-2008, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill pierce

I was out riding my bike when Mt St Helen's erupted in 1980.

We were living in Seattle then and also heard it. I don't remember the lightning effect, though. Very spectacular photos -- almost like some of the element-enhanced Hubble shots.