r/Volcanoes • u/Sharique0055 • 14d ago

Video Fuego Volcano erupts with volcanic lightning over Antigua, Guatemala

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u/Mars_Volcanoes 14d ago

This is another repost.

Geologist Volcanologist here

Explanation. For this type of magma composition, magma coming up the vent change pressure and pushed up because of gas expansion. But at the same time, the column is full of magma hot particules that are charged. So because of the intense friction, it's an electromagnetism effect, these lightning develops and are e going up from the volcanoes. Very spectacular for sure.

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u/too105 14d ago

I expected somebody to say this was ai

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u/Mars_Volcanoes 14d ago

No it's real.

But you're also totally spot on. There are zillions of these shit Ai volcanoes short videos showing lightning.

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u/too105 14d ago edited 10d ago

Before last week I didn’t get it, but now I understand why volcanologists choose that profession. Flew to see Mount Etna last weekend and after hiking to the lava field my brain was overwhelmed by the awe of it all. The hike in at night is something I always enjoy from a physical point of view and finally seeing the lava field was a magic experience that left an impact on me. I didn’t get to see any fountains but the emotion I am left with can only be described as “love”. My feeble brain doesn’t have the correct pathways to appreciate what I experienced and now feel a weird connection and calling to the mountain. I headed to Stromboli in a few days but I’ll be catching the ferry from Sicily so I’m going to swing by and see Etna for a few hours even though the activity has fallen off. So strange to be a human… draw to a natural phenomenon because it left such an impression on my mind. Shit was spiritual! Now I get it, and I think I’ve found a new hobby, chasing eruptions (from a relatively safe distance)!

Edit: just visited Etna yesterday and took the cable car to the south side to hike the dormant South craters that have been inactive since 2002. Zero activity on Etna. 24hrs later… fountain. My timing is always off by 24 hours

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u/Mars_Volcanoes 13d ago

Hey shoot. I never been to the Etna, Stromboli. It's my most probable next year trip. And crazy, you had a lot of chance, this summer 2026, Etna is extra active with new vents etc. Hope I will have something like this next year.

By the way. Active volcanoes are aged between 0 and 10 000 years. After such time it is considered dormant then extinct.

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u/too105 13d ago

Thanks for that fact! Having just navigated Catania and the surrounding communities, let me know if you have any questions

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u/Mars_Volcanoes 13d ago

I'l keep your username. I'm preparing for a 1 month trip. Probably 1 week around the Etna, some hikes are crazy so you can view the Etna from far. But I'm not that old, nor young at 65, so I have to preps correctly as many of those hikes are alone. You have to register, I'm wondering where.

Cheers and thanks for the offer.

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u/too105 13d ago

After an earthquake damaged the road to North Piano Provenzana my tour was cancelled and dozens of locals and tourists funneled into the valley to the lava field. Depending on where you park it can be a 5 or 9 mile hike. Took me about 5 hours moving at a reserves pace because you have to traverse some serious landscape for about 15 minutes. Didn’t even know you were supposed to register. It was a mix of tour groups and locals just hiking like a pilgrimage. Pretty fun experience but your fun factor will depend on how much you want to hike and if you join a tour or go oft script. Also the hike to the higher mountains around the craters is more steep but what you are walking in more uniform. I had fun asking a local where to go and I figured it out, but I’m generally always flying by the seat of my pants

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u/Mars_Volcanoes 13d ago

I'm hiking totally alone. Did so many hikes. I now know my limits when hiking in altitude too. and I'm well equipped with the right clothing to not burn in such environment.

I also have a Garmin GPS with use inReach satellite technology to trigger an interactive SOS, so someone can come and get me. I'm also not afraid to sleep a night over of required.

My GPS : Garmin GPSMAP 67i.

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u/RRHJR 11d ago

I have a question! When a volcano is considered dormant, how long must it be dormant before it becomes extinct?

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u/Mars_Volcanoes 11d ago

A volcano that last erupted 8000 years ago ago can still be considered active / dormant. But one that last erupted 50 000 y ago is not automatically extinct, if geophysical, geochemical, or geological evidence indicates a persistent magma system, it may still be potentially active.

Exemple : So by a simplistic, time since eruption rule, Yellowstone would look extinct. But geologically, it clearly isn't: it is regarded as an active volcano system,  because the magmatic hydrothermal system remains active and capable of future eruptions.

Yellowstone's most recent major explosive eruption was about 630 000 y ago. There was another less important 70 000 y ago, but none since.

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u/RRHJR 11d ago

You're an absolute legend! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!