Spectacular Lightning Strikes
A look at lightning strikes and a few facts explaining them.
lightning is not only wildly beautiful but it also the most deadly phenomena known to man. The bolts that make up lightning are hotter than the surface of the sun with shockwaves streaking out from all directions. It is a source of wonder as well as being feared. In the United States alone there are more than 1,000 deaths from lightning strikes but we still find it fascinating.
Surrounding clouds there are strong electric fields which causes the cloud to break down which allows currant to flow in an attempt to neutralize the charge separation. In other words the breakdown of the air allows a path that short circuit the Earth as if there was a large metal connecting earth and cloud.
A myth about lightning is that it is always the tallest objects that get hit. This is not necessarily true as the strike pattern of lightning is impossible to predict. lightning can hit the ground close to a large building while leaving the building untouched. So being taller does not always mean a better chance of getting hit.
Usually, when lightning threatens an outdoor activity such as a ball game it is usual postponed for the safely of the spectators as well as the players. This becomes a problem when there are thousands of spectators and it is difficult to protect them all.
The average lightning bolt is 6 to 8 miles long. It can travel 25 to 40 miles horizontal prior to hitting the grounds. There have been longer lightning bolts recorded like the one that traveled from Fort Worth and then Dallas, Texas which was a total of 110 miles.
Feared, revered and spectacular, all of these words can describe lightning. There have been many stories told about lightning with some of those being hit would never be the same again but I think we all would agree that not even fireworks can’t give us the thrill of a lightning hit as long as it’s far enough away for comfort.
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17 Responses to “Spectacular Lightning Strikes”
On March 3, 2009 at 9:48 am
Well-researched yaffel. We rarely have lightnings now as we’re into out summer months but this article sure struck me like lightning.
On March 3, 2009 at 9:53 am
Good article. Spectacular pictures.
On March 3, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Here in Ohio, we get awesome lightning storms in the summer months. Lots of people complain they are frightened by them but I love them.
On March 3, 2009 at 12:47 pm
I enjoyed this article, thanks for the hard work and the stunning photographs, it looks spectacular but it scares me!
On March 3, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Fantastic photos and a very good article. I have always been fascinated by lightning and when I visit my mother in Italy I see some amazing electrical storms. Good work.
Christine
On March 3, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Interesting article. Lightning storms are always exciting! Nice photos.
On March 3, 2009 at 2:30 pm
well written and awesome pic
On March 3, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Yaffel
Another excellent article. The pictures are excellent.
Southern California didn’t see much lightning….the Sierra Nevada’s saw plenty…and I have seen a fair amount here in Oregon….always fascinating, like so many other things in nature.
On March 3, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Some stunning pictures! Interesting article.
On March 3, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Great pics.
Thanks,
Clay
On March 3, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Lightning is so awesome, so powerful, and so terrifying. Growing up in the Midwest U.S., where the terrain is flat (my hometown was about 1 mile in diameter … and the difference in elevation between the highest and lowest points in town was 11 feet.
we would see spectacular lightning displays from miles away. Pretty cool to watch.
On March 3, 2009 at 9:42 pm
I used to love getting out in the car and driving when it was storming. I liked watching the lightning. It seemed so much nearer. I must say I don’t like to be out in it now.
On March 3, 2009 at 10:06 pm
This was a magnificent article! Thanks for posting. I learned so much!!
On March 3, 2009 at 10:51 pm
cool pictures and descriptions!
On March 4, 2009 at 12:33 am
Excellent article! There are many lightning here. I hate it, it makes me scare.
On March 4, 2009 at 7:45 am
These are fantastic.
On March 4, 2009 at 8:13 am
Fantastic article with mind blowing photos….
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