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Environment
Environment Main Global Warming Natural Disasters Habitats FRESHWATER

Tavurvur Spews Lava, Papua New Guinea

Photo: Lightning flashes and lava streaks

Flashes of lightning add to the drama of an eruption as Tavurvur Volcano spews lava in the Rabaul Caldera in Papua New Guinea. Although volcanic lightning is a common occurrence, its causes are still being determined. Researchers think that in some cases static charges are formed by collisions of rock fragments, ash, and ice particles.

Photograph by Olivier Grunewald