For millennia, people have been enthralled by the amazing natural event known as lightning. This page explores 17 amazing lightning facts that will test your understanding of this thrilling energy. From its amazing speed to its surprising events, these observations will highlight the power and mystery of one of the most amazing shows seen in nature.
1. Lightning’s Unimaginable Speed
When we talk of speed, we usually think of race vehicles, aircraft, or even light itself. But lightning’s speed is so tremendous that many of these well-known examples are rendered unworthy. About 270,000 mph (434,523 km/h) lightning moves at a startling pace. Considering this in relation to light, it is one of the fastest events seen on Earth—about one-third its speed.
Given this amazing speed, lightning can cover great distances in a split second. A lightning bolt might, for example, theoretically circle the equator of Earth around 7.5 times in one second. Though it is a complicated series of electrical discharges, lightning shows as a single, instantaneous flash to our eyes because of this fast movement.
In its destructive power, lightning’s speed also is quite important. The great energy transmitted in a lightning strike on an object can inflict instantaneous and significant damage. Lightning can shatter trees, melt metal, and start flames in a fraction of a second because of this quick energy transfer.