Articles tagged with Lightning
Researchers discovered that trap-jaw spiders can snap their chelicerae shut at incredible speeds, outperforming even the fastest muscles. This high-speed predatory behavior has evolved multiple times within the Mecysmaucheniid family of spiders.
Researchers quantify lightning threat to hydraulic fracturing operations, citing potential $10 million incidents and third of all modern hydrocarbon tank accidents associated with lightning strikes. The study suggests increasing frequency due to burning fossil fuels contributing to climate change.
The NOAA GOES-S, T, and U satellites are nearing completion with six new instruments that will offer advanced imaging capabilities for more accurate weather forecasts. The instruments include the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI), Extreme Ultraviolet and X-ray Irradiance Sensors (EXIS), Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) and others.
Researchers from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem have demonstrated new techniques that bring lasers as lighting rods closer to reality. They created a channel of plasma by firing a powerful laser, extending the lifetime of the plasma channel by more than a factor of 10.
The Pacific Northwest is experiencing severe wildfires in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, with over 27 fires listed in the Inciweb database for Washington state. The largest active fire, Okanogan Complex Fire, has grown to 256,567 acres and is only 10% contained.
Wildfires have been raging in Washington State, Oregon's Malheur National Forest, and California's Golden State, burning over 390,000 acres and forcing evacuations. The blazes are fueled by strong winds and lightning strikes, with no imminent relief expected.
Several fire complexes are currently active in Northern California, including River, Fork, South, Route, and Mad River, with total fires numbering over 40 in the Fork Complex alone. Damage assessments are ongoing, and crews are working to contain fires and protect structures.
A team of scientists from the University of Pennsylvania discovered that lightning can reshape rocks at an atomic level, creating distinctive black 'glazes' and shock lamellae. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the effects of meteorite impacts on rocks.
A new study by Florida Tech researchers has improved our understanding of sprites, which are fireworks-like electrical discharges in the upper atmosphere. The research found that specific atmospheric conditions can lead to exuberant and luminous sprite displays above thunderstorms.
Researchers at INRS have successfully guided electric discharges using lasers, achieving smooth paths along straight or parabolic trajectories. The study's findings hold significant potential for various applications, including combustion engines and pollution control.
Human-started fires account for nearly 90% of wildfires in the Northwest Territories, with 46 reported fires burning over 40,632 hectares. Preventing fires is crucial, and simple rules such as properly disposing of cigarettes and attending campfires can help prevent these incidents.
Researchers from Southwest Research Institute image thunder for the first time, capturing the sound waves created by artificially triggered lightning. The technique allows scientists to study the origins of thunder and the energetic processes associated with lightning, revealing new insights into this natural phenomenon.
Researchers used cosmic rays to measure electric fields in thunderclouds, revealing strengths of up to 50 kV/m. This new method provides a better understanding of lightning activity and contributes to more accurate predictions.
In April 2015, NASA's MODIS instrument detected areas of high temperature indicative of bushfires in Western Australia. The fires were up to 24 hours old and occurred during the region's long dry summer, highlighting the region's fire-prone landscape.
Researchers tracked neuronal activity in dendritic nerve branches as mice learned motor tasks, finding that calcium ion spikes triggered changes in connection strengths. The study identified a unique cell type controlling lightning bolt patterns, which stored new information without disrupting existing memories.
Researchers have discovered a mechanism for generating glass spherules through the combination of lightning and volcanic ash. The study, published in Geology, reveals that high heat generated by lightning discharge can transform volcanic ash particles into spheres of glass, forming fulgurites in geologic deposits.
A new 'world thunderstorm map' tracks climate change's impact on global weather patterns. The map, developed by Tel Aviv University researchers, uses data from a global lightning network to predict a 10% increase in thunderstorm activity with every 1% rise in global temperature.
A recent study found that communities with higher levels of Indigenous language knowledge and cultural continuity have significantly lower diabetes rates, contrary to expectations. The research suggests that reconnecting Aboriginal Canadians to their cultural roots may be a crucial factor in addressing the epidemic of modern times.
Scientists analyzed 2,279 TGFs detected by Fermi's GBM to identify the types of thunderstorms involved and their atmospheric conditions. They found that any thunderstorm can produce gamma rays, even weak ones, and that storm intensity is not a key factor in TGF production.
Researchers found a 50% increase in UK thunderstorms when the Sun's spiral-shaped magnetic field pointed towards or away from Earth, potentially exposing the upper atmosphere to galactic cosmic rays. This discovery could lead to a reliable lightning forecast system that provides weeks-in-advance warnings of hazardous events.
Climate models predict a 50% increase in lightning strikes across the US due to global warming, which will lead to more human injuries and wildfires. The study used precipitation and cloud buoyancy data from climate models and found that these two parameters can predict lightning strikes with high accuracy.
The new instrument will improve severe storm warning accuracy, detect lightning ground strike hazards, and provide early warnings for heavy rainfall and flash flooding. It will also enhance storm monitoring during radar outages or in areas with poor coverage.
A prolonged California fire season has been exacerbated by hot conditions and a state-wide drought, with fires spreading rapidly across the state. Over 113,000 acres have been affected, with multiple fires still burning out of control.
Storms have caused massive fires in Northern California's Happy Camp Complex, affecting over 99,200 acres. The fire is at 30% containment, with multiple spot fires occurring across the region.
As of August 27, the Happy Camp Complex and July Fire Complexes have consumed over 60,000 acres of land in Northern California. The fire season has been exacerbated by hot and dry conditions, with multiple fires still spreading.
The Happy Camp Complex and July Fire Complex in California have consumed over 22,670 acres, with the latter spanning 35,000 acres. Personnel are working to contain both complexes, with growth potential high due to challenging terrain.
Four major wildfires are burning in northern Washington, including Upper Falls, Little Bridge Creek, Lone Mountain, and Duncan fires, all started by lightning strikes, with dry conditions and red flag warnings in place.
The Devil's Elbow Complex is a four-wildfire system burning over 17,000 acres on the Colville Indian Reservation. The fires, sparked by lightning, have merged and are fuel-driven, producing pyrocumulus clouds. Active fire behavior is expected, with evacuations in place for nearby communities.
The Southfork Complex fire began with a lightning strike on July 31, 2014, affecting 62,476 acres to date. Crews are utilizing helicopters for bucket drops and constructing indirect lines to secure the perimeter of the fire.
NASA's Fermi and Aqua satellites captured two distinct views of Hurricane Julio as it intensified: a gamma-ray flash produced by the powerful electric fields in thunderstorms, and a more structurally organized storm. These findings provide insights into the complex relationship between thunderstorms and hurricane dynamics.
The Eiler wildfire has consumed 26,000 acres with unknown cause, while the Bald Fire has spread 39,500 acres with moderate containment, fueled by dry lightning and thunderstorms.
Scientists have developed a new method to monitor rainfall in West Africa using weakened cell phone signals, which could help cities prepare for floods and combat weather-related diseases. Meanwhile, researchers discovered that residual currents persist between lightning strokes, challenging current cutoff models.
A recent study by University of Hawaii researchers found that gases and particles from Kilauea volcano affected Tropical Storm Flossie's formation and lightning. This unique interaction highlights the impact of polluted air on hurricanes approaching the US mainland coast.
The Carlton Complex fires burned over 243,000 acres in timber and grass, with 35 primary residences lost. The high fire danger led to rapid changes in the fire situation, prompting evacuations of 300-500 homes, including the Pateros Red Cross shelter.
Multiple wildfires are burning in Oregon, threatening private property, livestock, and agriculture lands. The fires, fueled by lightning strikes and hot, windy conditions, have burned over 90,000 acres in the state's forest areas.
The Skunk Fire, sparked by a lightning strike on April 19, continues to burn across Arizona. The fire has reached 44% containment and is forecasted to be fully contained by May 23. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service predicts hot temperatures and strong southwest winds.
The Skunk Fire in Arizona has grown to over 10,000 acres, driven by extremely dry fuels and low relative humidity. The fire is currently 20% contained and continues to spread to the north, with conditions making it difficult for firefighters to access the area.
Researchers found a significant increase in lightning rates across Europe after high-speed solar wind streams arrived, suggesting particles from space trigger lightning bolts. The study provides potential benefits for long-range weather forecasts by tracking these solar wind streams.
Scientists at the University of Central Florida and Arizona are extending the length of a high-intensity laser beam by surrounding it with a secondary beam, sustaining the central beam for greater distances. The goal is to stimulate static charged particles in clouds, leading to rain and lightning activity.
Researchers study fossil estuaries, a 'natural wind tunnel' experiment on the Chinese Loess Plateau, frictional melting of rocks in water, glacial moraines in Colorado, and topographic data from Venus. These studies explore ecosystem stability, aeolian sediments, fault frictional properties, and volcanic lightning.
A NASA-led mission called Firefly aims to study lightning and terrestrial gamma ray flashes from space. The instrument will gather data for up to a year, shedding light on the global electric circuit's most critical component.
A new study reveals that lightning strikes significantly control the evolution of mountain landscapes, especially summit areas, by blasting rocks and creating angular debris. This finding has vast implications for food security and water supply, particularly in southern Africa.
Typhoon Usagi maintained its inner-core structure with a ~50 km eye wall before landfall on Sept. 22, 2013. Radar data showed updrafts fell short of forming lightning in the inner core.
Supertyphoon Usagi's rapid intensification by 65 knots in just 24 hours is more than twice the threshold for defining such an event. The storm's well-organized structure and efficient heat engine contribute to its extreme behavior.
Two eight-year-old twin brothers were injured when a bolt of lightning struck a transformer near their tent, causing penetrating blast injuries. The case study highlights the rare possibility of electrical shock from lightning strikes and emphasizes the importance of seeking shelter during thunderstorms.
Fires in Idaho and Montana continue to burn, with the Gold Pan complex fire expanding to 27,000 acres. The Lolo Creek complex has grown to 8,600 acres in difficult terrain.
A series of devastating wildfires has swept through Idaho, with multiple fires burning out of control due to strong winds and hot temperatures. The largest fire, the Beaver Creek Fire, has grown to over 100,000 acres and threatens nearby towns and ski resorts.
Researchers have developed a new method to produce artificial ball lightning in the lab, revealing its structure and behavior for the first time. The study provides crucial insights into this mysterious phenomenon, which occurs only once in every million lightning bolts.
The Firestation experiment will study the link between lightning and terrestrial gamma ray flashes (TGFs), which are brief but intense bursts of gamma rays produced in Earth's atmosphere. The study aims to understand the cause and effect mechanisms behind TGFs and their relationship with lightning.
NASA's Aqua satellite detected multiple forest fires in Idaho's western region, including the Lodgepole Fire, Ridge Fire, Thunder City fire, and Papoose Fire. The Papoose Fire is currently the largest at 6,504 acres, with containment expected on July 22, 2013.
The NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center satellite captured an image of the massive Jaroso fire burning in northern New Mexico. The fire, ignited by lightning on June 10, 2013, had burned through nearly 4,500 acres of conifer forests by June 24.
The Fourmile fire in Arizona and Silver Fire in New Mexico are two major wildfires burning in the region. The fires, which were started by lightning strikes, have grown to over 5,000 acres in size and pose a high risk of growth due to extreme weather conditions.
The NASA-NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite captured lightning observations after the tornado dissipated, revealing that the thunderstorm complex was still active at night. The storm system continued through the region, with another satellite capturing an image of the powerful storm at night.
Scientists at Florida Institute of Technology have developed a physics-based model to calculate radiation doses from intense gamma-ray bursts in thunderstorms. The model suggests that these bursts, known as terrestrial gamma-ray flashes, emit high-energy particles that can pose a radiation hazard to airplane passengers.
The GOES-R satellite will detect lightning inside storm clouds, enabling more accurate tornado detection and severe weather warnings. The new technology aboard GOES-R is expected to improve lead time for warnings by providing earlier detection for storms, regardless of the season or time of day.
Researchers report a gigantic jet event over a thunderstorm in mainland China, with a tree-like shape and unique storm characteristics. The study uses multiple data sets to analyze the event and its associated storm.
A study published in Cephalalgia found a significant correlation between lightning strikes and an increased risk of headache and migraine in chronic sufferers. The research suggests that electromagnetic waves emitted by lightning may trigger headaches, while also producing air pollutants that could lead to migraines.
The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has improved its ability to detect terrestrial gamma-ray flashes, which are brief outbursts of high-energy light produced above thunderstorms. The enhanced detection rate revealed that TGFs also generate a strong burst of radio waves, changing how scientists study this phenomenon.
The GOES-R Series Program has completed a successful review, demonstrating readiness to launch the new series starting in late 2015. The new satellites will provide improved weather forecasts and warnings, with enhanced imaging and atmospheric observations.
Australian scientists unveil new mathematical theory explaining ball lightning, citing ion accumulation on glass windows as key factor. The theory suggests a driving electric field of about a million volts is required to form a ball discharge.