COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: Measuring Volcanic Ash Properties That Promote the Generation of Lightning in Eruptive Columns and Plumes

火山闪电是一种常见但研究不足的现象，没有得到很好的参数化。该项目的重点是更多地了解火山灰颗粒在火山羽流和火山闪电中产生电场的作用。除了作为电荷载体，火山灰还可能影响闪电的产生，因为它可能在冰核形成中发挥作用，并作为极化的导电粒子。将对从几个阿拉斯加火山获得的样品进行一系列材料实验室测试和表征技术，以确定不同矿物和结构结合水含量的火山灰样品是否会影响传导/绝缘火山灰材料的功能及其冰核亲和力。还将寻找火山(硅玻璃)球体的生成，作为火山闪电期间产生特定火山灰颗粒结构的指标。拟议研究的更广泛影响包括对本科生的培训、教材的编写以及对早期职业研究人员的支持。提高对航空、通信和发电行业的火山危害的了解是额外的潜在社会影响。

Volcanic lightning is a common but understudied phenomenon that is poorly parameterized. This project focuses on learning more about the properties of ash particles relating to their role in the generation of electrical fields in volcanic plumes and in volcanic lightning. In addition to being a charge carrier, volcanic ash may also influence the production of lightning due to its potential role in ice nucleation and as polarized, conducting particles. A range of material laboratory testing and characterization techniques will be used on samples obtained from several Alaskan volcanoes to determine if ash samples of different mineral and structurally bound water content will affect the functionality of conducting/insulating ash materials, and their ice nucleation affinity. Generation of volcanic (silicic glass) spherules as an indicator of the production of specific ash grain textures during volcanic lightning episodes will also be sought for. The broader impacts of the proposed research include the training of undergraduate students, creation of teaching materials, and the support of an early career researcher. Improved understanding of volcanic hazards for the aviation, communication, and power generation industries are additional potential societal impacts