Volcanic Lightning in a lab
January 9, 2014 6:33 PM Subscribe
Scientists make volcanic lightning in a laboratory "A team of researchers at Germany’s Ludwig Maximilian University led by Corrado Cimarelli built an experiment that allowed them to study the conditions that trigger lightning at the base of the eruption plume."
And here I thought using volcanic dust to produce a swirling black column of ash and lighting was purely in the domain of wizardry.
Well done, science! You'll catch up yet.
posted by griphus at 6:45 PM on January 9, 2014 [3 favorites]
Well done, science! You'll catch up yet.
posted by griphus at 6:45 PM on January 9, 2014 [3 favorites]
In a follow up report the leading researcher added "Buwahahaha-AHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
posted by The Whelk at 7:01 PM on January 9, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 7:01 PM on January 9, 2014 [2 favorites]
seems like this could be the killer app we are all looking for if we could just figure out how to make a real live volcano.
posted by Colonel Panic at 7:02 PM on January 9, 2014
posted by Colonel Panic at 7:02 PM on January 9, 2014
seems like this could be the killer app we are all looking for if we could just figure out how to make a real live volcano.
When I was a kid, I poured orange juice in the tv while it was on. It exploded, but so did my mom -- but it still was a victory for my first scientific experiment -- and I had no app for that back in the day...
posted by Alexandra Kitty at 7:05 PM on January 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
When I was a kid, I poured orange juice in the tv while it was on. It exploded, but so did my mom -- but it still was a victory for my first scientific experiment -- and I had no app for that back in the day...
posted by Alexandra Kitty at 7:05 PM on January 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
I seem to recall that the idea that there was lightning associated with volcanic eruptions was considered controversial a few years ago. Am I misremembering?
posted by Joe in Australia at 7:26 PM on January 9, 2014
posted by Joe in Australia at 7:26 PM on January 9, 2014
Preeeettttty sure that if I was involved in this experiment, I would have started cackling wildly and proclaiming things like "And now all the powers of Zeus are within my grasp! Bow to me peons, I am like unto a GOD."
posted by yasaman at 8:37 PM on January 9, 2014
posted by yasaman at 8:37 PM on January 9, 2014
I'm going to keep my eye on #overlyhonestmethods over the next few days for any mention of "doomsday machine" or "world domination."
posted by C'est la D.C. at 4:56 AM on January 10, 2014
posted by C'est la D.C. at 4:56 AM on January 10, 2014
Great; now Germany has leapt to the forefront of volcanic lightning research. THANKS A LOT GOVERNOR JINDAL!
posted by TedW at 7:36 AM on January 10, 2014
posted by TedW at 7:36 AM on January 10, 2014
The lightning in the Mt St Helens ash cloud May 18, 1980 was neon colored--green, purple, orange--and perfectly silent. Definitely completed the eerie effect of pitch blackness at noon, showering sand, and sulfur smell.
posted by perhapsolutely at 1:44 PM on January 10, 2014
posted by perhapsolutely at 1:44 PM on January 10, 2014
Spectacular Photos of a Powerful Volcano Erupting in Chile
posted by homunculus at 2:08 PM on January 17, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by homunculus at 2:08 PM on January 17, 2014 [1 favorite]
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posted by Alexandra Kitty at 6:38 PM on January 9, 2014