Fulgurite

Description

A tube of natural glass formed when lightning strikes a dry sandy region, such as a desert or a beach. A fulgurite is composed of almost pure Silica. The most common is a sand fulgurite, that forms fractal cylindrical branches, similar to a tree. The central cavity is usually lined with glass, and the exterior shows adhering sand grains. Other types or fulgurites are usually vesicular, and may lack an open central tube; their exteriors can be porous or smooth.

Synonyms and Related Terms

lechatelierite

Resources and Citations

• Encyclopedia Britannica: fulgurite

• Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulgurite (Accessed August 2020)