You've probably heard of the volcano in Iceland that is erupting. The ash in the air is so thick that airplanes have been grounded for several days. Airplane engines do not operate well when they suck ash into the engines!
But have you ever heard the name of this erupting volcano?
It is called Eyjafjallajokull.
That is pronounced (ay-yah-FYAH-lah-yer-kuhl).
Or, you can just call it E15. That's what the US military is calling it, in their E15 operation. It's an airlift to get wounded soldiers to appropriate hospitals, because so many flights had been cancelled in Europe - and in particular Germany, where there is a hospital at Ramstein for injured soldiers.
Of course, while calling it E15 may be the easiest thing, we're scientists, aren't we? Don't be afraid of that long name. Just practice saying it phonetically a few times!
This volcano is unusual, in that today, lighting was seen emanating from the volcano. Scientists have observed this in other volcanoes, but don't yet know what causes it. They have their theories, however:
Mysterious Volcano Lightning Creates Pretty Pictures
Scientists have long known the plumes that shoot from the mouths of erupting volcanoes can produce sheaths of lightning. While lightning is typically associated with thunderstorms, hurricanes and other severe weather, the roiling debris clouds of volcanoes can also produce them.
The lighting in volcanic plumes is connected to the rotation that these plumes undergo, something like a tornado. As a plume rotates, it can spawn waterspouts or dust devils, which gather together the electric charges in the plume to form a sheath of lightning.
Scientists don't know exactly how lightning is created in an ash cloud, however. But they expect it's a result of particles rubbing together, generating friction and electrical charges.
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