- PowerScore Staff
- Posts: 651
- Joined: Oct 19, 2022
- Fri Nov 15, 2024 1:51 pm
#110613
Hi lsatstudent,
I wouldn't necessarily use the word "useless" (that strikes me a rather extreme), but you're correct that a lack of lightning does not guarantee that the volcanic ash cloud is below an altitude of 5 kilometers since that height is necessary for lightning discharges rather than sufficient for them.
However, as the "discharges become progressively more frequent as the ash cloud moves higher still," it may be the case that a lack of lightning would suggest that the ash cloud is not significantly higher than 5 kilometers (and perhaps even probable that it is under 5 kilometers), although again this is not certain based on the information provided in the stimulus.
I wouldn't necessarily use the word "useless" (that strikes me a rather extreme), but you're correct that a lack of lightning does not guarantee that the volcanic ash cloud is below an altitude of 5 kilometers since that height is necessary for lightning discharges rather than sufficient for them.
However, as the "discharges become progressively more frequent as the ash cloud moves higher still," it may be the case that a lack of lightning would suggest that the ash cloud is not significantly higher than 5 kilometers (and perhaps even probable that it is under 5 kilometers), although again this is not certain based on the information provided in the stimulus.
