Artsy Spot

Awesome Lightnings from Around the World

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 03:19 AM PST

Lightning is a discharge of atmospheric electricity, accompanied by thunder, which normally occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms. At atmospheric electrical discharge, lightning can reach speeds of up to 220 000 km (140,000 miles) per hour and reach temperatures of 30,000 degrees Celsius (54,000 degrees Fahrenheit). The temperature is high enough to melt sand into glass channels, known as fulgurites, which usually are formed at a certain depth in the ground. Every year there is about 16 million storms around the world accompanied by lightning.

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