Volcanic lightning forges tiny glass balls from airborne ash

Electrified air melts and alters ash

FIRE BOLT Lightning that crackles through volcanic ash plumes, such as during this 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland, can kiln microscopic glass orbs, new research finds.

By Thomas Sumner

March 3, 2015 at 3:20 pm - More than 2 years ago

Lightning bolts that flash and clash high above erupting volcanoes can forge flying ash into glass, new research finds.

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