mineral
Fulgurite
Fulgurite (Lechatelierite)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 6 on Mohs scale, tan to brown or grey coloration, glassy to dull luster, amorphous crystal structure with a hollow tubular form.
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Physical properties
Hardness 6 on Mohs scale, tan to brown or grey coloration, glassy to dull luster, amorphous crystal structure with a hollow tubular form.
Formation & geological history
Formed when lightning strikes sand or soil, instantly melting the silica at temperatures exceeding 1,800 degrees Celsius.
Uses & applications
Prized by collectors, scientific study of atmospheric conditions, and occasionally fashioned into unique jewelry pieces.
Geological facts
Also known as petrified lightning, fulgurites capture the instantaneous and immense electrical energy of a thunderstorm.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its characteristic glassy, fused interior lining and tubular sand-encrusted exterior; found globally in desert or sandy beach environments.
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