Lightning/Thunder Storm over my Home last Night Sept 19 2005--------------- some interesting facts regarding lightning. Lightning is the result of the buildup and discharge of electrical energy between positively and negatively charged areas. Thunder is caused by the rapid expansion of heated air, and is a direct result of lightning. Thunderstorms and their associated lightning cause an average of 100 deaths and 500 injuries in the United States every year. There are some 2000 thunderstorms globally at any one time producing approximately 100 lightning strikes to earth per second. Approximately 100,000 thunderstorms occur in the United States every year. These thunderstorms generate about 15-20 million ground strikes per year. In the United States, Florida has the most annual lightning strikes. Lightning kills more people each year than hurricanes, floods or tornadoes. Your risk of being killed by lightning is 1:28,500 per exposed individual, which is significantly higher than your odds of winning a state lottery. 45% of all lightning fatalities occur in an open field, while 23% occur under trees. Once the leading edge of a thunderstorm is within 10 miles, you are at immediate risk due to the possibility of lightning strokes coming from the overhanging anvil cloud. This is why many lightning fatalities and injuries occur with clear skies directly overhead. The average lightning stroke is 6 to 8 miles long. A lightning stroke discharges up to 30 million volts at 100,000 amperes in less than 1/10 of a second. The average thunderstorm travels at 25 miles per hour and is 6 to 10 miles wide. On average, thunder can be heard over a distance of 3 to 4 miles, depending on humidity, terrain and other factors. But on some occasions can be heard up to 10 miles away. The temperature of a typical lightning bolt is hotter than the surface of the Sun! How big around is a typical lightning bolt? Answer: About the size of a Quarter to Half-Dollar! Lightning looks so much wider than it really is just because its light is so bright! An ordinary piece of steel will turn into a magnet if it is struck by lightning Approximately 30% of persons struck by lightning die, and 74% of lightning strike survivors have permanent disabilities. The six most common dangerous activities associated with lightning strikes, in order, are: Work or play in open fields. Boating, fishing, and swimming. Working on heavy farm or road equipment. Playing golf. Talking on the telephone. Repairing or using electrical appliances.
31 Comments
Anonymous Guest 12 Mar 2008
Absolutely astounding! Sheer excellence! You are very talented at capturing difficult subjects.Susan Rodio 07 Oct 2006
Absolutely brilliant. Love your work.Maggi Carstairs 29 Sep 2005
This is one of the best lightning photos I have ever sen....Utterly awesome....and love the description. Awesome photoChristine brand 22 Sep 2005
Wow! Gary this is brilliant!!! Amazing timing!! How did you catch this one? It's rainining right now but, it's 1:30 here and I need to go to sleep I have been up for a long time. I love storms when they don't wipe out entire cities. Top shot!!! Thanks for all you do. SINcerely CBsher richardson 22 Sep 2005
BBBBBbbbbbbBBBBBBbbbRAVO Gar... i love the power! : ) i am a storm yanno...Jan Christensen 21 Sep 2005
I've tried and failed a million times to catch this shot. Wow, awesome capture!!epsylon lyrae 21 Sep 2005
Absolutely incredible shot, really perfect!!Billie-Jo Miller 21 Sep 2005
Wonderful capture and great colors!!Renata Cavanaugh 21 Sep 2005
FantasticGreg Perry 20 Sep 2005
Excellent capture Gary. One of the best I've seen in quite a while. Out of curiosity, how long was the exposure and what aperture & ISO settings did you use?Casey Catton 20 Sep 2005
WOW...what a shot Gary! Absolutely stunning! And love the info you supplied to...interesting facts...Cynthia Adams 20 Sep 2005
Excellent photography showing the electrical storm...love the fork lightening with the azure blues lighting up this phenomenal work.Excellent shot.VICKI ASHWORTH 20 Sep 2005
WOW!!! i have tried to capture some of the lightening here..no luck..this is sooo crisp and clear i can almost hear that loud snap and boom!!! Just an awesome capture!!!beautiful!lerat andree 20 Sep 2005
Great shot. Thanks for the info.Reba McDonald 20 Sep 2005
A great show Gary.ellen blockley 20 Sep 2005
Lightening Strikes and you captured it brilliantly! Thanks for the facts to go along with the photo.Anonymous Guest 20 Sep 2005
Gezzz what a catch! This is one incredible photo..good for you!monique cooper 20 Sep 2005
Y-OUCH!!!!.. Spectacular shot!!!Aris Stathakis 20 Sep 2005
that's amazing, great shot!Peter Rutilquarz 20 Sep 2005
A dream shot is this one Gary! Thanks for the lesson in your info, very interesting now I know something more.Les Jobes 20 Sep 2005
FABULOUS!! Capturing lightening is something I have been trying to do all summer long, we have had some stunning storms. This is a Fantastic photograph!! :o)Trisha Allard 20 Sep 2005
Amazing shot, fantasticTeresa Trant 20 Sep 2005
Awesome shot.Matthew George 20 Sep 2005
Wow, talk about a great image.Pat Abbott 20 Sep 2005
I would have been under the bed! A beautiful shot, you can feel the electricity!Terence Brockett 20 Sep 2005
wow, what a great shotTabitha Borges 20 Sep 2005
wow...what a fright.. good piece..Emily Reed 20 Sep 2005
Awesome!!eileen martin 20 Sep 2005
wow fantastic shot, you had to have perfect timing.......p.s...blonde:)Ruth Tyson 20 Sep 2005
Oh Wow! incredible capture, I love lightning. This is a perfect shot. And I see you've done your research, lol.joan warburton 20 Sep 2005
What an amazing photo! This has to be one of the best lightning shots ever taken. Gary, this is so incredibly beautiful!