Unprecedented Lightning Display: Tonga's Volcanic Eruption Shatters Records

An underwater volcano eruption in Tonga in 2022 caused lightning flashes at the highest altitudes ever recorded, reaching 20 to 30 kilometers above sea level in the stratosphere. The eruption plume, composed of ash, gas, and dust, generated static electricity that led to the formation of lightning. This discovery has changed scientists' understanding of how natural events can impact the atmosphere and the environment where lightning can exist.