Fulgurites are natural tubes or crusts of glass formed by the fusion of silica (quartz) sand or rock from a lightning strike. Their shape mimics the path of the lightning bolt as it disperses into the ground. All lightning strikes that hit the ground are capable of forming fulgurites.

What causes Fulgurite?

Fulgurites are natural tubes or crusts of glass formed by the fusion of silica (quartz) sand or rock from a lightning strike. Their shape mimics the path of the lightning bolt as it disperses into the ground. All lightning strikes that hit the ground are capable of forming fulgurites.

What is a Fulgurite and how do they form?

Fulgurite (noun, “FUHL-grr-eyte”)

A glassy deposit that is often in the shape of a tube. Fulgurites are formed when lightning strikes sand, soil or rock. If that surface has a lot of silica in it, the heat and electricity from lightning may fuse it and other minerals together into glass.