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Fulgurite

Geoscience Australia

Geoscience Australia
Symonston, Australia

Zoomed in image of fulgurite to show the sand particles stuck to the outside of the glass.

When lightning strikes quartz sand, such as in a beach or desert, fulgurites (specifically lechatelerite) are created. The high temperature at the exact place where the lightning strikes causes the sand to melt rapidly and form glass, often in a tubular shape.

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  • Title: Fulgurite
  • Type: Rock
  • Rights: Geoscience Australia / CC-BY 4.0
Geoscience Australia

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