Fulgurite facts for kids
Have you ever heard of natural glass made by lightning? These amazing things are called fulgurites! They are quite rare. Fulgurites form when a lightning bolt hits sandy ground or certain rocks. The lightning melts tiny bits of a mineral called silica. This melted silica then cools very fast, turning into a glassy tube.
Fulgurites are often found in places with lots of sand. Beaches and deserts are good examples. The lightning bolt goes deep into the sand. It melts the silica there. This creates a hollow, glassy tube. The outside of the tube is usually rough. The inside is often smooth.
Underground, a fulgurite can look like the roots of a tree. It might have many branches. These branches show the path the lightning took. Fulgurites are very delicate. Their walls are usually only 1 or 2 millimeters thick. Large fulgurites are often found in many pieces. Scientists then carefully glue them back together.
Images for kids
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Fulgurite
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Typical broken fulgurite sections.
See also
In Spanish: Fulgurita para niños
