Volcanic eruption clouds

Clouds formed by volcanic eruptions generally resemble strongly developed cumuliform clouds with rapidly growing bulges. They can expand at high altitudes and cover large regions. In this case, the sky has a characteristic color that can persist for several weeks.

The clouds of volcanic eruptions are mostly dust particles or other solid particles of various dimensions. These clouds may also contain parts almost entirely made up of water droplets and sometimes produce precipitation.

Weather radar is unable to detect this acid cloud, which has already caused several aircraft incidents. In Washington, USA, the Volcanic Ash Warning Center (VAAC) continuously monitors the evolution, displacement and altitude of ash from the volcanoes of the Americas, as they can reach up to 20 km in height.

Sometimes, when the cloud of an eruption is dense and bulky enough, the particles inside the cloud ionize the surrounding air, charging it electrically and producing lightning bolts, which are sometimes very frequent.