What causes volcanic lightning? Time-lapse footage has captured a lightning storm swirling in dark clouds around the peak of the Taal volcano in the Philippines. Along with the enormous amount of ash spewed out, active volcanic activities at Taal have also created a terrifying-looking lightning storm inside the volcano. The Taal volcano eruption began on Sunday, January 12 in the Philippines, dropping ash over hundreds of thousands of people in the vicinity of the Batangas province. Lightning storms within the ash column. Time-lapse of lightning storm above Philippine volcano Jump to media player Dramatic time-lapse footage shows lightning swirling around the Taal volcano as it spewed ash. Officials raised the alert level for the volcano to 4 on a scale that goes up to 5.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has raised the alert level to 4 due to continued activity of the volcano, meaning a hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days. Lightning streak over Batangas as Taal Volcano continues its eruption on Sunday evening. Lightning coming from ash clouds formed by the phreatic eruption of Taal Volcano strikes over Nasugbu, Batangas on Sunday evening. THE TAAL volcano in the Philippines started erupting on Sunday, casting ash out over the country and forcing thousands to evacuate. Authorities have since laid down an evacuation notice within an eight-mile radius of the mountain, warning people to flee potentially dangerous ashfall. Taal is the second-most-active volcano in the Philippines and is one of the smallest in the world. Lightning storms within the ash column. Taal Volcano (Filipino: Bulkang Taal, IPA: ; Spanish: Volcán Taal) is a large caldera filled by Taal Lake on Luzon island in the Philippines, and is in the province of Batangas.Taal Volcano is the second most active volcano in the Philippines, with 33 recorded historical eruptions, all of which were concentrated on Volcano Island, near the middle of Taal Lake. Along with the enormous amount of ash spewed out, active volcanic activities at Taal have also created a terrifying-looking lightning storm inside the volcano.

Lightning flashes as Taal Volcano erupts on Jan. 12, 2020, in Tagaytay, Cavite province, outside Manila, Philippines. Credit: Alamy The lightning is caused by volcanic ash sparking static electricity Credit: Ezra Acayan/Getty