mineral
Fulgurite
Fulgurite (Lechatelierite/Fused Sand)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness 6 to 7, color ranges from tan, brown, to greyish-white, vitreous to dull luster, amorphous crystal structure due to rapid melting.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness 6 to 7, color ranges from tan, brown, to greyish-white, vitreous to dull luster, amorphous crystal structure due to rapid melting.
Formation & geological history
Formed instantly when lightning strikes silica-rich sand or soil, fusing the material at temperatures exceeding 1,800 degrees Celsius.
Uses & applications
Prized by collectors, scientific study of atmospheric conditions, and occasionally used in educational displays.
Geological facts
Fulgurites are often called 'petrified lightning' and can reach several meters deep into desert dunes.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its fragile, hollow, glass-lined tubes found in sandy deserts or beaches; handle with extreme care.
