mineral
Fulgurite
Fulgurite (Lechatelierite or fused sand/quartz)
Hardness of 6-7 on Mohs scale (for the quartz glass), color ranges from white, tan, gray to black, glassy or dull luster depending on the coating, amorphous crystal structure (silica glass tube), specific gravity around 2.2.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6-7 on Mohs scale (for the quartz glass), color ranges from white, tan, gray to black, glassy or dull luster depending on the coating, amorphous crystal structure (silica glass tube), specific gravity around 2.2.
Formation & geological history
Formed instantly when a powerful lightning strike discharges into sand or soil, melting the surrounding material at temperatures exceeding 1,500 to 3,000 degrees Celsius and fusing it into a hollow glassy tube.
Uses & applications
Collected by mineral enthusiasts and scientists as geological curiosities; studied for clues about ancient climates and lightning activity.
Geological facts
Often called 'fossilized lightning', fulgurites preserve the hollow path of the electrical discharge and can sometimes reach several meters deep into the earth.
Field identification & locations
Found predominantly in sandy deserts, coastal sand dunes, and beaches where lightning frequently strikes. Usually discovered partially exposed by wind erosion.
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