Mount Rainier Geology Explained: Cloudy Day Geology Guide

Did you know that volcanoes can create their own weather? During a powerful eruption, the immense heat and ash thrown into the sky can generate thunder and lightning inside the volcanic plume. This happens because tiny particles of ash collide and build up electrical charges, just like in a storm cloud. The result is a dramatic display called “dirty thunderstorm,” where bolts of lightning crackle through clouds of ash. Some eruptions are so intense that they even alter global climate—like the er