RE: [Paddlewise] lightening strikes

From: Joe Pylka <jpylka_at_earthlink.net>
Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 16:42:51 -0500 (GMT-05:00)
>>. One might expect to see evidence
such as molten sand patches or an increased frequency of stricken trees at
the shore edge. As many trees in Australia show evidence of burning this
would be hard to assess over here. 

  Lightning often hits beaches, and the intense heat often produces melted sand (i.e. glass) tubes called fulgurites.  There is a huge one in the Museum of Natural History in NYC which spreads out and branches to a depth of about 6 feet and maybe 10 or more across.  I don't know whether it's still on exhibit, and I have seen fulgurite fragments in other museums.

Joe P.
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Received on Thu Oct 30 2003 - 13:43:34 PST

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