The thesis presents a state of the art of existing knowledge and findings related to the lightning inducted by volcanic activity. First the thesis briefly characterizes lightning which occurs in thunderstorms. The chapter also presents mechanisms of lightning occurrence and methods of lightning detection. The main part of the thesis contains a literature review on the characteristics of lightning which occurs in relation to volcanic activity. It also provides classification of volcanic lightning and mechanisms of its occurrence. Furthermore, the chapter describes methods which are used to detect volcanic lightning. It also contents methods of investigation of volcanic lightning and laboratory experiments, which aim at deepening theknowledge on this phenomenon. Moreover, the chapter also provides a brief outline of expected future research on volcanic lightning. The thesis presents several ways by which volcanic lightning affects the Earth's atmosphere and surface, and the affected volcanic ash particles. Based on findings provided by the literature, the thesis discusses and compares lightning produced during in thunderstorms with volcanic lightning. Key words: lightning, volcanism, state of the art, detection
