Hours after Taal Volcano spewed steam eruptions this afternoon came thunderstorms and mud rain.
Scientists took to Twitter to explain that it’s a natural phenomenon, and not what soothsayers say as indication of the end of the world.
BA Racoma, a meteorologist and geologist, said volcanic eruptions typically generate “their own weather” called pyrocumulus or flammagenitus.
UP Professor and disaster scientist Mahar Lagmay explained the meteorological phenomenon: “As particles are ejected, they rub against each other and become electrically charged. Charged particles separate as the plume ascends. When charge separation becomes too great, lightning happens to connect the positive and negative charged particles.”
Racoma observed there were nine hours worth of lightning strikes caused by Taal’s eruption and plume.
The phreatic explosion followed by lightning strikes were shot by and presented here in a timelapsed video:
Volcanic eruptions generate their own weather (aka pyrocumulus or flammagenitus).
Here is 9 hours worth of lightning strikes that are caused by Taal’s eruption and plume.
© Meteologix’s lightning analysis.
Images can be accessed via https://t.co/xau9Smflii pic.twitter.com/XWiPTurPqw— BA Racoma (ᜊ) (@bumaBAgyo) January 12, 2020
Like other clouds, pyrocumulus clouds that get large and heavy enough will eventually drop their moisture in the form of rain.
Thus, ash fall plus rain creates mud as experienced by motorists in South Luzon Expressway yesterday.
Volcanic eruptions generate their own weather (aka pyrocumulus or flammagenitus).
Here is 9 hours worth of lightning strikes that are caused by Taal’s eruption and plume.
© Meteologix’s lightning analysis.
Images can be accessed via https://t.co/xau9Smflii pic.twitter.com/XWiPTurPqw— BA Racoma (ᜊ) (@bumaBAgyo) January 12, 2020
Thus, ash fall plus rain creates mud as experienced by motorists in South Luzon Expressway yesterday.
Blue hour and night timelapse of Taal Volcano eruption. pic.twitter.com/DSJqHOaAS5
— shuajo (@joshibob_) January 12, 2020
This was taken along SLEX by my cousin… Keep safe everyone praying all these people who are driving to get home safe and those who are directly affected by the ashes wear masks and as much as possible stay indoor ? pic.twitter.com/E4bAs8pv7P
— Marie ? Sapphire baby (@swanderie) January 12, 2020



