Have you heard of fulgurites? These amazing sculptures, also known as “petrified lightning” have caught the eye of internet users and movie makers, who have featured them in social media posts and films like ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ (2002). 🎥
You might have seen this picture on social media of a tall, above-ground structure with a drippy, sandy appearance, labeled as ‘what happens to sand when lightning hits it’:
Or perhaps you’ve seen Sweet Home Alabama, where sand struck by lightning is portrayed as a root-like, clear glass structure like this:
While both of these photos are undeniably spectacular, neither show real fulgurites - the drippy-looking, above-ground sculpture is the work of a social media artist who made it by pouring wet sand over a piece of driftwood, while the glass sculptures in Sweet Home Alabama were likely made by a human.
So what really happens to sand when lightning hits it? ⚡️ If it contains enough silica, a natural compound, it turns into a sculpture made of a special kind of natural glass, like this:
Sand fuses itself into glass when it’s exposed to high temperatures - that’s why glassblowers keep their burners (heat sources) extremely hot. 🔥 Since lightning can be hotter than the surface of the sun, it certainly does the job! ☀️
In a nutshell, pieces of “petrified lightning”, or fulgurites, are made when lightning strikes silica-rich sand. The sand around the lightning bolt becomes so hot that it solidifies into a glass tube in the shape of the lightning’s path. The inside is smooth and glassy, but encrusted with a rough, darkened outer coating that makes the fulgurite look like a piece of coral! 🪸
How did scientists discover this phenomenon, and how are fulgurites found? Since they’re formed underground, they’re usually found by digging through the sand. Also, shifting sands or erosion can sometimes force them above ground! Shockingly, they aren’t broken despite being moved around - they’re a uniquely strong type of glass, which helps them stay in one piece through all kinds of storms. 💪🏻 They can survive in nature for hundreds of years!
So next time you’re near the beach, check with your local authorities to confirm that it’s allowed to dig in the sand. If you get the green light, grab a shovel and start moving sand around - you might just find a fulgurite, one of nature’s most amazing creations! 👓