Facts on Lighting Strikes
Lightning strikes are discharges of electricity that cause a streak or flash of light and thunder. Lightning travels between clouds or between a cloud and the ground and strikes somewhere on Earth approximately 100 times every second, according to National Geographic.
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Features
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Lightning strikes measure up to five miles in length and carry approximately a hundred million electrical volts. Lightning heats the air to a temperature of up to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is four times hotter than the surface of the sun, according to Strike Alert.
Misconceptions
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Lightning strikes frequently occur during thunderstorms, but they are also a phenomenon of heavy snowstorms, forest fires, hurricanes and volcanic eruptions, according to National Geographic.
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Dangers
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Lightning kills approximately 100 people in the United States every year. It is more deadly than tornadoes, hurricanes and floods. People who survive lightning strikes often suffer from health problems, such as memory loss. Lightning also causes more than 10,000 forest fires each year, according to Strike Alert.
Warning
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Go inside a house or car if you are in or near a storm with thunder and lightning. If shelter is not available, stay away from poles or trees, bodies of water and metallic objects, such as metal fences.
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References
- Photo Credit Lightning image by professional from Fotolia.com
