How large and powerful can a lightning strike get?

) July 26th, 2012

We had storm and tornado warnings all afternoon and up to 9:00 PM. Most of it missed us, but a little after six PM a huge lightning strike hit fairly close to use. This thing was massive. It was 2000 to 3000 feet away, because it took a few seconds for the thunder to get to us, but the snap was extremely loud. Normally you have to be very close to hear that. Then the thunder was massive and shook the entire house, and it went on for a good 20 seconds. I have never heard such a massive strike. And I’ve been in a house when it was hit, twice.

lightning

Observing members: 0

Composing members: 0

8 Answers

Well they’re powerful enough to produce gamma rays and antimatter; on a scale of powerful terrestrial effects, that’s pretty potent in my book.

wonderingwhy (10815

)“Great Answer” (3

) Flag as…

A lightening strike can be many times hotter than the sun.

Linda_Owl (7748

)“Great Answer” (2

) Flag as…

Lightning, can turn sand into glass by striking it and heating it to extreme temperatures. Then, with the disappearance of the heat source, the sand cools rapidly, forming glass.

Amazing and powerful!

blueiiznh (16698

)“Great Answer” (2

) Flag as…

Wow these are such great answers. I did not know any of this. Thanks so much.

Adirondackwannabe (36713

)“Great Answer” (0

) Flag as…

We had a tree in the neighborhood struck, the 65 foot tree in someones front yard. Ittha had pieces thrown 50 feet in all directions. One of the larger branches landed on the stop sign across the street. The stump that was left was about 7 feet high and all the bark on it was gone.

Tropical_Willie (31115

)“Great Answer” (2

) Flag as…