mineral
Fulgurite
Lechatelierite (Silica glass)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, tan or brownish color, vitreous to dull luster, amorphous crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, tan or brownish color, vitreous to dull luster, amorphous crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed when lightning strikes sand or soil, instantly melting quartz grains at temperatures exceeding 1,800 degrees Celsius.
Uses & applications
Valued by scientific researchers studying ancient climates and by mineral collectors as petrified lightning.
Geological facts
Fulgurites often preserve hollow tubes called root channels where vaporized organic matter once existed.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its glassy interior texture and branching, tubular structure found in sandy desert or beach environments.
