Does Sand Struck Lightning Turn Glass?

When lightning hits a sandy beach, it creates otherworldly glass sculptures known as fulgurites or “petrified lightning.” Find out how to spot them on your next beach vacation.

Does sand turn to glass with lightning?

"Sweet Home Alabama" did get something right — when super hot lightning (at least 1,800 degrees Celsius/3,272 degrees Fahrenheit) hits sandy beaches high in silica or quartz, it fuses the sand into silica glass beneath the ground. That means you can actually dig up petrified lightning if you know where to look.

What happens if sand gets struck by lightning?

For example, if lightning strikes sand that's rich in silica or quartz and heats it to a temperature above 3,272˚ F, it will melt the sand into silica glass below the surface. This creates hollow, glass-lined tubes that are rough and sandy on the outside. Scientists call these creations fulgurites.