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When a bolt of lightning strikes loose sand, the electric charge vaporizes a thin hole and melts the zone around it, creating an instant froth of natural glass. These tubes-fulgurites-can be a meter long or more, but they're fragile, and what you see in rock shops is usually a piece like this, 4 centimeters long and as light as pumice. Sometimes a fulgurite forms in solid rock. This fulgurite specimen came from the Sahara Desert in Morocco.

Fulgurite is scientific Latin for "lightning stone."

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11y ago
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5mo ago

A fulgurite is a glassy tube formed when lightning strikes sand or soil, melting it into a hollow tube. This unique formation is a result of the intense heat generated during a lightning strike rapidly cooling the sand or soil. Fulgurites are often found in desert regions where lightning strikes are more common.

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15y ago

A fulgurite (note spelling) forms when a powerful lightning bolt melts sand to form a material similar to glass & often resembles the shape of corals. this is from wikipedia

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Q: What is a Fulgurite?
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Continue Learning about Earth Science

When lighting hits sand does it turn it green?

Yes, when lightning strikes sand, it can fuse the sand particles into a material known as fulgurite. Fulgurite can appear green due to trace amounts of iron or other minerals in the sand.


How do you determine the rare earth element concentrations in a fulgurite?

Rare earth element concentrations in fulgurites can be determined through analytical techniques such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). By extracting the rare earth elements from the fulgurite sample and analyzing them using these methods, the concentrations of these elements can be quantified.


What is the name of glass that is made by lightning striking beach sand?

The glass formed by lightning striking beach sand is called fulgurite. It is created when the intense heat of the lightning fuses the sand particles together, forming a tube-like structure. Fulgurites are often found in sandy areas where lightning strikes frequently.


When Lightning hits sand does it form a piece of glass in the shape of the lightning bolt itself?

When lightning strikes sand, it can fuse the sand into a glass-like structure called fulgurite. The resulting fulgurite can sometimes retain a shape similar to the path of the lightning bolt, depending on the specific conditions of the strike and the sand composition.


What is a folgerite?

A fulgurite is a glassy tube formed when lightning strikes sandy soil or other silica-rich materials, such as rocks or beach sand. The intense heat from the lightning melts and fuses the silica particles together, creating a hollow tube-like structure. Fulgurites are often found in areas where lightning strikes frequently.

Related questions

How do you make fulgurite on alchemy classic?

Lightening+Sand = Fulgurite


What is a rock caused by lightning contact with sand called?

A rock formed by lightning striking sand is called a fulgurite. Lightning's intense heat fuses the sand particles together, creating a tube-like structure known as a fulgurite.


How much is fulgurite worth?

Nothing unfortunately


What is the name of a tube of sediment caused by lightning?

Fulgurite


What is sand that got hit by lighting called?

fulgarite (sometimes spelled fulgurite)


Can you make glass with lightning?

lightning makes glass when it hits sandy soil. its called a fulgurite.


What would happen if electricity hit cement?

You could get a fulgurite. But you'd probably just get damaged concrete.


What is molten sand called?

It turns into a rock called fulgurite (fused quartz). When sand is struck by lightning, the silica in the sand melts and fuses, forming a glass tube called fulgurite. Fulgurite is generally rare, but can be found all over the world. The fulgurite can be a variety of different colors depending on the mineral content of the sand. (see related link)


Lightning sometimes leaves behind a strange calling card what is it called and how is it formed?

The strange calling card left behind by lightning is called a "fulgurite." Fulgurites form when lightning strikes sand or soil, melting and fusing the particles together into a glassy tube or branching structure.


When lighting hits sand does it turn it green?

Yes, when lightning strikes sand, it can fuse the sand particles into a material known as fulgurite. Fulgurite can appear green due to trace amounts of iron or other minerals in the sand.


How do you determine the rare earth element concentrations in a fulgurite?

Rare earth element concentrations in fulgurites can be determined through analytical techniques such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). By extracting the rare earth elements from the fulgurite sample and analyzing them using these methods, the concentrations of these elements can be quantified.


What is the name of glass that is made by lightning striking beach sand?

The glass formed by lightning striking beach sand is called fulgurite. It is created when the intense heat of the lightning fuses the sand particles together, forming a tube-like structure. Fulgurites are often found in sandy areas where lightning strikes frequently.