Map of detected volcanic lightning

Eruptions accompanied by volcanic lightning activity

Volcano    DateVEIPlume Height (km)CommentReferences
Akutan10.04.199224Eruption during the dayJ. Paskievitch, writt. comm., 1992
Ambae27.07.2018312–GVP, 2019; Vaisala GLD360
Ambrym19.10.2004–3 to 3.7Eruption during the day at 5-8pmJ. Seach, writt.comm., 2005
Anatahan06.04.2005––Eruption at 17:26 UTG. Ellrod, writt. comm., 2005
Aniakchak01.04.19313––Volc. Quarterly, 1995
Arenal29.07.19683>10Eruption during the dayMelson W., 1994
Asama17834––Krafft M., 1993, p.88-89
Aso13.06.197922Eruption during the dayMcClelland et al., 1989
19.06.1979–––McClelland et al., 1989
01.08.1979–––McClelland et al., 1989
2-3.08.1979–––McClelland et al., 1989
04.08.1979–––McClelland et al., 1989
8-9.08.19791––McClelland et al., 1989
06.09.1979–0.7Eruption during the dayMcClelland et al., 1989
Augustine23.01.19764–night?Kienle & Swanson, 1985
27.03.1986311Eruption during the nightJ. Kienle, pers.comm., 1992
13.01.2006310.213:24UT; CGBLM, unpublished data
13.01.2006310.217:47UT; CCAVO, unpublished data
13.01.2006310.520:22UTAVO, unpublished data
14.01.2006313.503:58UTAVO, unpublished data
14.01.2006310.209:14UTAVO and BLM, unpublished data
17.01.2006313.516:58UTAVO, unpublished data
28.01.2006310.505:31UT 365 flThomas et al., 2010
28.01.200623.808:37UT; 1 flThomas et al., 2010
28.01.200637.211:04UT; 28 flThomas et al., 2010
28.01.20063716:42UT; 6 flThomas et al., 2010
29.01.200623.800:40UT; 35 flThomas et al., 2010
29.01.200637.220:19UT; 2 flThomas et al., 2010
30.01.200637.212:28UT; 0 fl; vent discharges onlyThomas et al., 2010
30.01.200637.215:22UT; 2 flThomas et al., 2010
Bandai1888–––Woodcut at Bandai museum
Bezimianny31.03.19565–Eruption during the dayGorshkov, 1959
BogoslofDec 2016-Aug 20173<1270 explosive eventsVan Eaton et al., 2020; GVP, 2020
Bulusan15.04.198138Eruption during the nightMcClelland et al., 1989
Calbuco22.04.20154>15–Van Eaton et al., 2016; WWLLN, 2015
Cerro Negro19713––J. Viramonte (photo), in: Fisher et al., 1997
Chaiten2-3.05.2008420Eruption during the dayGVP 2008; Natl. Geogr., 2008
24-28.05.200825Eruption during the dayR. Thomas, unpub. data
Chikurachki19.11.198621–BVE, 1989; SEAN, 1986
20.11.1986311–BVE, 1989; SEAN, 1986
Cleveland24.08.2006–3 to 4Eruption during the dayAVO unpublished data
Colima30.01.2005––Eruption during the dayN. Varley, writt. comm., 2005
26.03.200525–N. Varley, writt. comm., 2005
30.05.2005––03:36N. Varley, writt. comm., 2005
02.06.2005––00:22N. Varley, writt. comm., 2005
05.06.2005––14:20N. Varley, writt. comm., 2005
06.06.2005––23:05N. Varley, writt. comm., 2005
09.06.2005––21:54N. Varley, writt. comm., 2005
05.07.2005––18:21N. Varley, writt. comm., 2005
27.07.2005––04:13N. Varley, writt. comm., 2005
16.09.2005––10:47N. Varley, writt. comm., 2005
27.09.2005––05:08N. Varley, writt. comm., 2005
Cordón Caulle Jun-Jul 201137-12117 fl (4-7 June)Nicora et al., 2013
Cumbre ViejaSep-Dec 2021–3-4Recurrent episodes day and night ELF antenna measurements C. Cimarelli & C. Vossen, photos and videos from INVOLCAN 
El Chichon04.04.19824>10Eruption during the nightHavskov et al., 1983
03.04.19824>10Eruption during the nightNatl. Geogr., 1982
Etna18193––Krafft M., 1993, p.105
3-4.08.19792–Eruption during the nightMcClelland et al., 1989
16-17.04.198023?Eruption during the night?McClelland et al., 1989
23.11.201335-6 a.c.Eruption during the dayS. Scollo (video); Andronico et al., 2015 
03.12.201536 a.c.Eruption during the nightM. Restivo (internet photo); Vulpiani et al., 2018
24.02.2021Evening; lava fountaining episodeB. Behnke (video)
Jun-Sep 20213-6 a.c.17 paroxysmal episodesELF antenna measurements C. Cimarelli & C. Vossen,
Fernandina11.06.19684––Simkin & Howard, 1970
08.08.197834.5 – 6Eruption during the nightMcClelland et al., 1989
Fuego16.09.197821.1Eruption during the dayMcClelland et al., 1989 
22.03.197922.5Eruption during the dayMcClelland et al., 1989
03.06.2018–9Eruption during the dayVaisala GLD360; GVP, 2018
Galeras07.06.199327?–GVP, 1993
Galunggungearly Aug 19823–Eruption during the nightKatili & Sudradjat, 1984 
09.10.198238Eruption during the dayMcClelland et al., 1989
16.10.19823–Eruption during the nightKatili & Sudradjat, 1984
03.12.19823–Eruption during the dayMcClelland et al., 1989
phase 2, 1982–––Gourgaud et al., 1989
1982–––Krafft M., 1993
Gorely1980-81 or 1984-86–2 to 3Eruption during the dayFedotov & Masurenkov, 1991
Grimsvotn    03.10.19963–Eruption during the dayBenediktsson, 1996 (video)
18-28.12.1998310Eruption during the nightArason et al., 2000; Arason, 2005
01.11.2004313Eruption during the nightArason, 2005
Heimaey19733––Brook et al., 1973
Hekla 20003––Arason, 2005
Hibok-Hibok19512––Alcaraz, 1989
Hudson08.08.1991312–GVP, 1991; Volcanes de Chile
12.08.19915>12–GVP, 1991
Hunga Tonga15.01.20224504:00 UTC more than 400k strikes – record lightning eventVaisala GLD360; ENTLN
Izu-Oshima15-22.11.1986316Eruption during the dayOndoh, T., 1990
KamchatkaJune 1778––thunderClarke, 1821
Karymsky13.10.19963––AVO Bimonthly, 1996
June 2011––Eruption during the dayPicture by V. V. Yudin in Firstov et al., 2017
Kasatochi7 Aug 2008515–AVO unpublished data, 2008
Katmai 1912625+–Erskine, 1962
Katla17554––Anonymous, 1863
Kelut13.02.2014419-20–GVP, 20014; Vaisala GLD360; ENTLN; Hargie et al., 2018
Kilauea19242–Eruption during the dayNatl. Park Service display; Stearns, 1925
KlyuchevskoiOct 2013––Eruption during the nightPicture by Yu. V. Demyanchuk in Fierstov et al., 2017
Komagatake17.06.19294–Eruption during day and nightPoster display, 1995; video
Krakatau 18836––Francis, 1976; Lane, 1966; Judd, in Symons, 1888; Simkin and Fiske, 1983
16.04.19053––Simkin and Fiske, 1983
10.07.197810.4-0.5?–McClelland et al., 1989
2-5.10.197810.2-0.4Eruption during the dayMcClelland et al., 1989
14.09.197921.5Eruption during the dayMcClelland et al., 1989
20.10.198120.6-2Eruption during the dayMcClelland et al., 1989
17.05.1997––Eruption during the nightLyvers M., writ. comm.1997
Oct 2018––frequent vulcanian activityR. Roscoe videos 25.10.2018
22-28.12.2018–16-18–ENTLN; Prata et al., 2020
Lamington18.01.195135.2nightTaylor, G.A.M., 1958; Thompson et al., 2002
19.01.195136.7nightTaylor, G.A.M., 1958 
25.01.195135.0nightTaylor, G.A.M., 1958
27.01.195136.2nightTaylor, G.A.M., 1958
28.01.195122.8nightTaylor, G.A.M., 1958
29.01.195123.5nightTaylor, G.A.M., 1958
30.01.195122.5nightTaylor, G.A.M., 1958
05.02.19511<1nightTaylor, G.A.M., 1958
02.03.195123.7nightTaylor, G.A.M., 1958
Langila12.11.198223?Eruption during the nightMcClelland et al., 1989
26.12.198239Eruption during the dayMcClelland et al., 1989
Lewotobi01.08.2025–10Eruption during the nightOn 1 August a significant explosive eruption during 2048-2051 generated a dense gray ash column that reached 10 km above the summit (based on initial ground observer estimates) and ejected incandescent ballistic fragments 3-4 km in multiple directions. Volcanic lightning was also observed within the ash column. GVP (2025) Photo dpa
Manam27.03.198236-7Eruption during the dayMcClelland et al., 1989
30.06.19872––BVE, 1990
23-24.11.2004–––A. Tupper, writt. comm., 2005
02.12.2004–6.1Eruption in the early eveningJ. Seach, writt. comm., 2005
19.12.2004–18.3–A. Tupper, writt. comm., 2005
Mayon24.08.1984315Eruption during the dayMcClelland et al., 1989
Montserrat 1995?3–Eruption during the day“World’s Deadliest Volcanoes” (video)
Mount St. Helens18 May 1980522Eruption during the dayMcClelland et al., 1989; Rosenbaum and Waitt, 1981
 late July 19832?3.5-4.5–Cobb, 1980
Ngauruhoe29 Mar 19743?Eruption during the nightNairn et al., 1976
Okmok12.07.2008416Eruption during the dayLarsen et al., 2009
02.08.200823Eruption during the dayJ. Larsen, pers. comm. 2008
03.08.200823Eruption during the dayJ. Larsen, pers. comm. 2008
Pacaya19732?Eruption during the nightW.C. Buell photo
Paricutin1943-19522-3––Luhr & Simkin, 1993; Green, 1944
Pavlof04.11.199627.5?Eruption during the dayJ. Painter, pers. comm.,1997
30.08.200726.1Eruption during the dayJ. Smith, pers. comm.,2007
Pelee09.07.20024––Anderson & Flett, 1903; Blong, 1984
Pinatubo12.06.199142008:51; faint (day)Sabit et al., 1996; D. Harlow, pers. comm.
14.06.1991420night 22:52 thunderstormSabit et al., 1996; Hoblitt et al., 1996
15.06.1991––01:15; nightSabit et al., 1996
15.06.1991––01:40; nightSabit et al., 1996
15.06.1991, (climactic)633day and night;  Tremendous 13:42 ; multiple locations including fringes, CG and CCC. Newhall, writt. comm.; T. Murray & D. Harlow, pers. comm.
13.07.19913?–Eruption during the nightM. Dolan, photo, VSSAC calendar 1995
Rabaul19.09.1994420day and nightGVP, 1994
Raikoke21.06.2019–10-13–GVP, 2019; Vaisala GLD360; ENTLN
Redoubt14.12.1989 – 16.01.19902-37-12night and dayHoblitt, 1994; Miller and Chouet, 1994
15.02.19902>10184 flashes (fl), 8 min delayHoblitt, 1994; Hoblitt and Murray, 1990
21.02.1990292+ fl; 11 min delayHoblitt, 1994; Hoblitt and Murray, 1990
24.02.1990297 fl; 11 min delayHoblitt, 1994; Hoblitt and Murray, 1990
28.02.19902816 fl; 9 min delayHoblitt, 1994; Hoblitt and Murray, 1990
04.03.19902123 fl; 5 min delayHoblitt, 1994; Hoblitt and Murray, 1990
09.03.199021013 fl; 9 min delayHoblitt, 1994; Hoblitt and Murray, 1990
14.03.199021220 fl; 6 min delayHoblitt, 1994; Hoblitt and Murray, 1990
23.03.19902>103 fl; 10 min delayHoblitt, 1994; Hoblitt and Murray, 1990
29.03.19901?5 fl; 5 min delayHoblitt, 1994; Hoblitt and Murray, 1990
06.04.1990299 fl; 8 min delayHoblitt, 1994; Hoblitt and Murray, 1990
15.04.19902>109 fl; 15 min delayHoblitt, 1994; Hoblitt and Murray, 1990
22.03.200925.5Eruption during the nightR. Thomas, unpub. data. 2009
23.03.2009313.4Eruption during the nightR. Thomas, unpub. data. 2009
26.03.2009318.9Eruption during the nightR. Thomas, unpub. data. 2009
27.03.2009315.5Eruption during the nightR. Thomas, unpub. data. 2009
28.03.2009313.1Eruption during the nightR. Thomas, unpub. data. 2009
04.04.2009315.2Eruption during the dayR. Thomas, unpub. data. 2009
RinjaniJun 1994–10Eruption during the nightweb photo; GVP, 1994
Ruang16.4.2024 5:37 UTC through 17.4.2024Up to 19.2 aslSeries of explosionsWeb videos and photos; PVMBG; VONA; GVP.
29.4.2024 17:15 UTC19 aslWeb videos and photos; volcanodiscovery.com
Ruapehu19452––Blong, 1984
11.10.1995310Eruption during the nightGVP, 1995; Schneider, 1995
Ruiz11.09.19852-3–day and nightMcClelland et al., 1989
Sakurajima   19144––Abe, 1979
06.12.197623Eruption during the nightMcClelland et al., 1989
24.11.197921?Eruption during the nightMcClelland et al., 1989
28.11.197922Eruption during the dayMcClelland et al., 1989
10.11.197921.5-2.3Eruption during the dayMcClelland et al., 1989
04.12.197921Eruption during the dayMcClelland et al., 1989
17.12.19792>1Eruption during the nightMcClelland et al., 1989
24.12.197922.3Eruption during the nightMcClelland et al., 1989
25.12.197910.8Eruption during the dayMcClelland et al., 1989
26.12.197922.1–McClelland et al., 1989
17.02.198822.5Eruption during the night at 03:09Ryan M.P., 1994 (photo by T. Takayama)
18.05.1991–2.5§Eruption during the night at 23:08 Fisher et al., 1997; SVO photo, 1991
?2??Eruption during the nightNatl. Geogr., 1993
27.10. – 05.11.2013–2 – 6Multiparametric measurementsCimarelli et al., 2016; Aizawa et al., 2016
Jul 2018 – Jan 2020ELF continuous measurementsVossen et al., 2021
Santa Maria24-26.10.19025––Sapper, 1905
Sao Miguel12.06.1811–0.3Sabrina IslandTillard, 1812; Clarke, 1821
Shishaldin19.04.1999316Eruption during the dayThompson et al., 2002
16 Sep12.8Satellite detection (?) Vaisala GLD360 (?)USGS-AVO, 2023; GVP, 2023.
ShiveluchNov 19644––Gorshkov & Dubik, 1970
27.02.2005––12:00 UTS. Senyukov, writt. comm., 2005
16.11.2014–10-12Eruption during the day; 7 dischargesFirstov et al., 2017
Sinabung19 Feb 2018–16.8–GVP, 2018; Vaisala GLD360; ENTLN
9 Jun 2019–16.8–GVP, 2018; Vaisala GLD360; ENTLN
Soputan26.08.1982315Eruption during the nightMcClelland et al., 1989
09.11.19822-35Eruption during the nightMcClelland et al., 1989
Soufriere, St. Vincent  30.04.18124Eruption during the dayClarke, 1821
1902–––Anderson & Flett, 1903; Blong, 1984
19793––Shepherd et al., 1979
9-15.04.2021––Multiple explosionsC. Vagasky (pers. comm.) Vaisala GLD360; photo R. Contreras UWI-SRC
Spurr09.07.1953418.3Eruption during the dayJuhle and Coulter, 1955; Wilcox RE, 1959
27.06.1992314.5Eruption during the dayDavis & McNutt, 1993; McNutt & Davis 2000
18.08.1992313.7Eruption during the dayDavis & McNutt, 1993; Paskievitch et al, 1995; McNutt & Davis 2000
17.09.1992313.9Eruption during the nightDavis & McNutt, 1993; McNutt & Davis 2000
Stanchio?     07.08.1707––thunder; name not listed in GVPClarke E.D., 1821
Stromboli(?) ?2–Eruption during the nightKrafft M., 1993, cover
StromboliApr-May 19073–Volcanic lightning (globe and linear flashes); detonations (sharp crackle)Perret F.A., 1914
Jul-Aug 19124–Volcanic lightning (linear flashes); detonations (sharp crackle)Perret F.A., 1914
28.12.2002––19:23 UT bright flash resembling lightningPioli et al., 2008
15.03.2007–3–L. D’auria video; Pistolesi et al., 2011
07.09.2008–0.5-0.6–Calvari et al., 2012
03.07.20194–ELF measurements C. Cimarelli instrumental observation; GVP, 2019; Vossen et al., 2022.
28.08.2019–3.7-4.6–GVP, 2019; VAAC Touluse, 2019
13.05.2022Major explosion in daylightELF measurements C.Cimarelli and C. Vossen
Surtsey      Nov 19633––Anderson et al., 1965
Feb 19643–Eruption during the dayAnderson et al., 1965
Taal19114–Pratt W.E., 1911
19654–Carroll & Parco, 1966
06.09.197620.2-2.2Eruption during the nightMcClelland et al., 1989
10.10.197610.5Eruption during the nightMcClelland et al., 1989
12.01.2020–Eruption during the dayENTLN, 2020; Van Eaton et al., 2022
Tarawera18865––Pond & Smith, 1886
Tavurvur2007?––Eruption during the nightNatl. Geogr., 2007
Thera        1470 BC6––Pounder C., 1980
Tokachi   19263–Eruption during the dayH. Okada, pers. comm., 1995
29.06.1962312Eruption during the dayH. Okada, pers. comm., 1995
24.12.19882–Eruption during the nightKatsui et al., 1990
Tolbachik 1976?4–Eruption during the nightFedotov & Masurenkov, 1991
Jul 1975––Eruption during the nightE. Gordeev photo
Ubinas20.07.2019–09. Apr–GVP, 2019; ENTLN
Ulawun6-7 Oct 198037-10day and nightMcClelland et al., 1989
29.09.2000310.7Eruption during the nightAIREP (A. Tupper, writt. comm. 2004)
26.06. 2019–16.8-19.2–GVP, 2019; ENTLN; Vaisala GLD360
02.08.2019–19–GVP, 2019; ENTLN; Vaisala GLD360
unknown–3–night?Saavedra and Ramis, 1991, p.99
Usu07.08.1977312Eruption during the dayMcClelland et al., 1989; Kikuchi and Endoh, 1982
13.09.197822.5-3Eruption during the nightMcClelland et al., 1989; Niida et al., 1980
24.08.19782––Niida et al., 1980
09.04.20000.5night 20:40Seach J., writt. comm., 2005
Vesuvius 79 A.D.5–day and nightFrancis P., 1976; Krafft M., 1993, p.32,40
16314––Hamilton W., 1772
16603––Krafft M., 1993, p.24-25
17073––Goldsmith O., 1852
17673––Krafft M., 1993, p.145
07.08.1779           3–Eruption at midnightClarke ED., 1821; Krafft M., 1993a; Volta 1782
15.06.1794            3–Eruption during the nightClarke ED., 1821
31.05.1806             3–Eruption in the eveningClarke ED., 1821
Oct 18223––S. Martino Museum (painting); Krafft, 1993b
18724––Palmieri L., 1873
Apr 06 year3–Al richJaggar TA., 1906; Lane FW., 1965; Perret FA., 1924
Mar 44 year3––Shore D., 1975; Viemeister PE., 1972
Vulcano18.08.188833-4Eruption during the dayMercalli G., 1907; MacDonald GA., 1972
29-30.05.19373–day and nightJohnson & Threlfall, 1985; McKee et al., 1985
Westdahl06.02.197838-10Eruption during the night?McClelland et al., 1989
Yasur01.11.2016 Eruption during the dayVideo footage courtesy of Ben Simons