Fulgurites are rare, natural glass tubes formed when lightning strikes sandy soil, silica, or rock. The intense heat from the lightning, which can reach over 53,000°F, melts the material it hits, creating these unique structures.

Key Points:

Formation: Lightning melts the ground material, which cools into glassy tubes often shaped like the bolt's path.
Appearance: Typically rough and sandy on the outside, with a smooth, glassy interior. Colors vary from white to black, depending on the material.
Rarity: Although lightning strikes are common, the specific conditions needed to form fulgurites are rare.
Scientific Value: Fulgurites provide insights into lightning’s electrical characteristics and past climate conditions.
These structures are not only scientifically valuable but also hold cultural significance as symbols of captured lightning.