Published May 14, 2026 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.0cfxpnwdm

Ash fall samples were collected following several explosive eruptions where volcanic lightning was detected or documented. Sample information (volcano location, sample collection location, distance from the associated volcano) is provided in the named spreadsheet. The data provided in the individual documents (titled with sample name) provide the instrument parameters and raw grain size measurements of ash samples. The data were collected using the Malvern 3000 laser diffraction particle size analyzer (LDPSA) with wet dispersion unit housed in the Earth Materials Characterization Laboratory at The University of Alabama.

Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.0cfxpnwdm

Description of the data and file structure

The data presented here provide the grain size and distribution measurements of volcanic ash samples collected following explosive eruptions where volcanic lightning was either documented or detected. Empty cells in the spreadsheets do not represent missing data.

Files and variables

File: Sample_Information.xlsx & Sample_Information.csv

Metadata about the eruptions

File: Spreadsheet_Variables.xlsx

Description: Contains location information for the ash samples and the source volcano. Each sample was collected from a specific location, which is provided as latitude and longitude coordinates. For those eruptions where multiple samples were collected and analyzed (Fuego, Hunga, La Soufriere, Sangay) the number in the individual sample names is just an identifier, and does not correlate with distance from the volcano or location of collection.

The Excel files listed below are titled according to the volcanic eruption from which they were sourced. Additional information on the volcano and sample are given in the file 'Sample Information.' Explanations for the reported data and associated variables are detailed in the file 'Spreadsheet Variables.' Empty cells in the spreadsheets do not represent missing data. The grain size data are provided in 'Sheet 1' of each workbook. For those workbooks that include a 'Sheet 2,' these represent the same data, but reported using a phi scale with soil classifications for interested sedimentologists.

File: Augustine-AVO.xlsx

File: CraterPeak-AVO.xlsx

File: Katmai-AVO.xlsx

File: Okmok-AVO.xlsx

File: Pavlof-AVO.xlsx

File: Redoubt-AVO.xlsx

File: Redoubt2-AVO.xlsx

*All AVO samples provided by Kristi Wallace at the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

File: Fuego_1974-102.xlsx

File: Fuego_1974-106.xlsx

File: Fuego_1974-107.xlsx

File: Fuego_1974-108.xlsx

File: Fuego_1974-110.xlsx

File: Fuego_1974-126.xlsx

*All Fuego samples provided by William Rose and Adam Durant (Michigan Technological University)

File: HungaTonga_2022-16.xlsx

File: HungaTonga_2022-40.xlsx

File: HungaTonga_2022-50C.xlsx

File: HungaTonga_2022-56.xlsx

File: HungaTonga_2022-68.xlsx

File: HungaTonga_2022-105.xlsx

File: HungaTonga_2022-115.xlsx

File: HungaTonga_2022-123.xlsx

*All Hunga samples provided by Shane J. Cronin and Joali Paredes-Marino (University of Auckland)

File: Kelut_2014-K115.xlsx

*Kelut sample provided by Shane J. Cronin and Gert Lube (Massey University)

File: Kilauea_2020_HMM20-1229.xlsx

*Kilauea sample provided by Johanne Schmith at the Hawaii Volcano Observatory

File: LaSoufriere_21-5.xlsx

File: LaSoufriere_21-8_REVISION_2.7.24.xlsx

File: LaSoufriere_21-9.xlsx

*La Soufriere samples provided by Jenni Barclay (University of Bristol) and Paul Cole (University of Plymouth)

File: Sakurajima_SAK-22_6.4.15.xlsx

*Sakurajima sample provided by Cassandra Smith (U.S. Geological Survey)

File: Sangay-Sample_14_March_5th_and_6th_2021.xlsx

File: Sangay-Sample_16_March_5th_and_6th_2021.xlsx

File: Sangay-Sample_19_March_5th_and_6th_2021.xlsx

File: Sangay-Sample_20_March_5th_and_6th_2021.xlsx

File: Sangay-Sample_26_March_5th_and_6th_2021.xlsx

File: Sangay-Sample_29_March_11th_2021.xlsx

File: Sangay-Sample_34_March_11th_2021.xlsx

File: Sangay-Sample_37_March_11th_2021.xlsx

File: Sangay-Sample_41_March_11th_2021.xlsx

File: Sangay-Sample_44_March_11th_2021.xlsx

File: Sangay-Sample_45_March_11th_2021.xlsx

*Sangay samples provided by Benjamin Bernard (Instituto Geofísico de la Escuela Politécnica Nacional) and measured by Jason Martinez.

Laser diffraction grain size measurements of volcanic ash sourced from explosive eruptions that produced volcanic lightning

Data files

Abstract

README: Laser diffraction grain size measurements of volcanic ash sourced from explosive eruptions that produced volcanic lightning