mineral
Fulgurite
Lechatelierite (Fused Silica/Quartz)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness of 6 to 7, grayish-brown to black color, glassy to vitreous luster, amorphous crystal structure with hollow tube-like morphology.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 6 to 7, grayish-brown to black color, glassy to vitreous luster, amorphous crystal structure with hollow tube-like morphology.
Formation & geological history
Formed when lightning strikes sand or soil, instantly melting and fusing the sediment at temperatures exceeding 1,800 degrees Celsius.
Uses & applications
Prized by mineral collectors, used in scientific studies of ancient atmospheric conditions, and occasionally fashioned into unique jewelry.
Geological facts
Commonly known as 'fossilized lightning', these delicate glass tubes are extremely fragile and difficult to excavate intact.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its vesicular, glassy interior lining and fragile, sand-encrusted exterior, typically found in desert dunes and sandy beaches.
