News > Tonga eruption triggered a record smashing 11-hour lightning marathon

Tonga eruption triggered a record smashing 11-hour lightning marathon

The Tonga eruption in January 2022 set several records, including the highest lightning rates and the largest lightning rings ever observed. Over 192,000 lightning flashes illuminated the ash cloud during an 11-hour electrical storm, reaching peak rates of around 2,600 flashes per minute. The unique formation of lightning rings within the cloud also set it apart from previous volcanic events.