Whose work first explained volcanic lightning?

Volcanic lightning occurs when particles in an eruption plume collide and build up electrical charge, much like in thunderstorms. Scientists in the modern era have studied the role of ash, ice formation, and the friction of particles in generating lightning. The phenomenon has been observed in eruptions such as Eyjafjallajökull in 2010 and many others. It is a dramatic reminder that volcanic plumes can behave like weather systems as well as geological ones. The science of volcanic lightning has grown with high-speed imaging and better atmospheric measurements.