mineral
Fulgurite
Lechatelierite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, typically gray, brown, or black with a vitreous to dull luster. It has an amorphous crystal structure and forms brittle, hollow glassy tubes.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, typically gray, brown, or black with a vitreous to dull luster. It has an amorphous crystal structure and forms brittle, hollow glassy tubes.
Formation & geological history
Formed when a high-voltage lightning strike instantaneously melts and fuses loose sand, soil, or rock, occurring within seconds during intense thunderstorms.
Uses & applications
Valued by collectors, researchers studying paleoclimate and lightning history, and occasionally used in educational displays.
Geological facts
Fulgurites often preserve ancient atmospheric gases and moisture trapped inside the glass tubes during creation. They are famously referred to as petrified lightning.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its characteristic glassy internal texture and hollow tubular shape found embedded in sandy soils or dunes. Common in desert regions and sandy beaches worldwide.
