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Around the world, lightning bolts flash about 65 times per second—that’s a lot of lightning![1] Lightning can touch down anywhere on Earth, but something truly magical happens when it strikes sand. It leaves behind a tubular and fragile piece of petrified glass in the shape of a bolt of lightning. If you’re lucky enough to find one of these on the beach, it’s the closest you’ll ever get to holding lightning in your hand. We’ve put together a fascinating guide to how this glass forms, what it looks like, and how to search for a piece yourself during your next beach getaway. If you’ve been stricken by a bolt of curiosity, read on!
Things You Should Know
- Petrified lightning (fulgurite) is formed when lightning strikes sand and melts it. The sand fuses together and cools in the shape of the path of the lightning.
- Fulgurites look like hollow, sandy tubes with smooth, glassy insides. They’re usually tan or black and might have branches shooting off of the main tube.
- Store any fulgurites you find on the beach in a safe location, like a jewelry box or display case. They’re fragile and can break easily.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Tips
Warnings
- Be cautious when handling petrified lightning because they’re fragile and break easily. Since they’re glass, broken pieces may be sharp and cut you.Thanks
- Do not search for fulgurites during an active thunderstorm. Since they form in open areas, your risk of getting struck is increased by looking for them.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.sciencenews.org/article/stroke-good-fortune-wealth-data-petrified-lightning
- ↑ https://interpretivecenter.org/the-truth-about-petrified-lightning/
- ↑ https://www.sciencenews.org/article/stroke-good-fortune-wealth-data-petrified-lightning
- ↑ https://www.sciencenews.org/article/stroke-good-fortune-wealth-data-petrified-lightning
- ↑ http://www.usfcam.usf.edu/cam/exhibitions/1998_12_McCollum/supplemental_didactics/10.PetGalliot.pdf
- ↑ http://www.usfcam.usf.edu/cam/exhibitions/1998_12_McCollum/supplemental_didactics/06.Florida's.pdf
- ↑ http://ira.usf.edu/CAM/exhibitions/1998_12_McCollum/supplemental_didactics/47.Petrified.pdf
- ↑ http://www.usfcam.usf.edu/cam/exhibitions/1998_12_McCollum/supplemental_didactics/10.PetGalliot.pdf
- ↑ http://ira.usf.edu/CAM/exhibitions/1998_12_McCollum/supplemental_didactics/47.Petrified.pdf
- ↑ https://www.sciencealert.com/lightning-strikes-can-create-incredible-works-of-art-but-don-t-be-fooled-by-photos
- ↑ http://ira.usf.edu/CAM/exhibitions/1998_12_McCollum/supplemental_didactics/47.Petrified.pdf
- ↑ https://www.sciencenews.org/article/stroke-good-fortune-wealth-data-petrified-lightning
- ↑ http://ira.usf.edu/CAM/exhibitions/1998_12_McCollum/supplemental_didactics/47.Petrified.pdf
- ↑ https://www.sciencenews.org/article/stroke-good-fortune-wealth-data-petrified-lightning
- ↑ https://gemstagram.com/fulgurite-meanings-properties-and-benefits/
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