mineral
Fulgurite
Fulgurite (Lechatelierite / Vitreous Silica)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, typically grayish-white, tan, or black with a glassy to vitreous luster and an amorphous crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, typically grayish-white, tan, or black with a glassy to vitreous luster and an amorphous crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed instantly when a powerful cloud-to-ground lightning strike hits silica-rich sand or soil, melting the material into a hollow, glassy tube.
Uses & applications
Valued as scientific specimens, educational tools, and unique collector items in lapidary displays.
Geological facts
Commonly known as fossilized lightning, fulgurites capture the immense thermal energy of electrical storms within desert or beach sands.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its hollow, branching tubular form and glassy interior lining, found primarily in sandy deserts and coastal dune regions.
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