Data from: Volcanic ash affected by lightning during the Hunga 2022 eruption
Data files
Feb 04, 2026 version files 141.07 MB
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Dataset_S1-2026.xlsx
63.77 MB
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Dataset_S2-2026.csv
910 B
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Dataset_S2-2026.xlsx
11.15 KB
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Dataset_S3-2026.csv
33.83 MB
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Dataset_S3-2026.xlsx
43.44 MB
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README.md
3.96 KB
Abstract
This study estimates the amount of airborne volcanic ash that may be structurally or electromagnetically affected by volcanic lightning during the January 15, 2022, eruption of Hunga volcano (Kingdom of Tonga). Methods to calculate lightning channel sizes and volumes are provided, in addition to methods for calculating mass amounts of ash affected by both the high temperatures and the magnetic fields generated by lightning. This study reveals that even though physical evidence of volcanic lightning may be limited, ash particles will still be affected by the electromagnetic fields produced by the lightning discharge. The extent of these effects will be a function of lightning properties, ash properties, and location of the ash in relation to the discharge channel. There are three datasets provided, and all are available for public use.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.s1rn8pkn8
Description of the data and file structure
Dataset_S1-2026.xlsx: Subset of lightning data reported by Van Eaton et al. (2023). We used lightning flashes recorded on only January 15, 2022 for the calculations in this study, and thus, the data reported are only for that specific day, not the entire eruption. The original publication should be referred to for additional information when using these data. There are four worksheets: 1. "Ground based flashes Jan15" contains all flashes detected by the sensors for largest explosion on January 15, 2022; 2. "Ground-based rates" contains the lightning flash rates at specific distances from the vent for explosions January 13-15, 2022; 3. "Optical GLM flashes and rates" contains the volcanic lightning detected by the Geostationary Lightning Mapper on January 15, 2022, flash area (used to quantify flash length in our study) and the associated flash rates; 4. "Volcanic plume dimensions" were calculated during the course of the 2022 events by Van Eaton et al., 2023, and we use their results for January 15, 2022 to determine an average plume volume during that phase of the eruption.
For the following datasets, both an Excel Spreadsheet and csv file are provided.
Dataset_S2-2026.xlsx and Dataset_S2-2026.csv: Parameters used in Magnetic Field Calculation provided by the National Centers for Environmental Information. These results were obtained using Magnetic Model: DGRF2020 (calculator version 1.2.1). Users can visit the website and input the volcano, date, and altitude of interest to get magnetic field total intensity and also values for the x, y, and z components.
The latitude and longitude of the volcano were provided by the calculator database once the name of the volcano is entered. Two different altitudes above mean sea level (10 km and 55 km) were checked but did not result in substantially different values (42.3 and 41.4 mT, respectively).
Dataset_S3-2026.xlsx and Dataset_S3-2026.csv: All calculations for the values reported in the text and in Tables 2 and 3.
Files and variables
File: Dataset_S1-2026.xlsx
Description: Subset of lightning data reported by Van Eaton et al. (2023).We used lightning flashes recorded on only January 15, 2022 for the calculations in this study. Empty cells exist but do not represent missing data.
File: Dataset_S2-2026.xls and Dataset_S2-2026.csv
Description: Parameters used in Magnetic Field Calculation provided by the National Centers for Environmental Information. The latitude and longitude of the volcano were provided by the calculator database and two different altitudes above mean sea level (10 km and 55 km) were checked but did not result in substantially different values (42.3 and 41.4 mT), respectively. Empty cells exist but do not represent missing data.
File: Dataset_S3-2026.xls and Dataset_S3-2026.csv
Description: All calculations for the values reported in the text and in Tables 2 and 3. Empty cells exist but do not represent missing data. Equations for the associated values can be found in the manuscript text and are listed below. Variables determined by the individual flash are in bold.
channel radius = 0.097*(peak current^(1/3))*SQRT(time); where peak current is in Amps and time is in seconds
channel volume = PI()*(channel radius^2)*channel length; values in meters
The ideal melting zone is roughly 10% of the channel volume.
Mass of ash within the channel is a product of the channel volume and ash concentration.
B field (T) at channel radius (m) =(permittivity of free space*peak current)/(2PI()*channel radius)
permittivity of free space = (4PI())(10^-7)
Code/software
n/a