mineral
Fulgurite
Fulgurite (Lechatelierite)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6-7 on Mohs scale, grayish-brown to black exterior with a glassy, porous interior tube, amorphous crystal structure, vitreous luster.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6-7 on Mohs scale, grayish-brown to black exterior with a glassy, porous interior tube, amorphous crystal structure, vitreous luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed instantly when a cloud-to-ground lightning strike melts and fuses loose sand, silica, or soil at temperatures exceeding 1,500°C.
Uses & applications
Prized by collectors for its unique formation history and sometimes used in educational geology displays or jewelry.
Geological facts
Commonly known as petrified lightning, fulgurites capture the instantaneous geothermal energy of a lightning bolt.
Field identification & locations
Found in sandy deserts, beaches, and high-altitude mountain peaks where frequent lightning strikes occur in quartz-rich soil.
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