My Daily Smile

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Time-lapse video: Watch a powerful lightning storm develop in just 78 seconds

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I happen to be a huge fan of time-lapse video, the technological marvel that allows us to watch events develop and play out much faster than they do in real time.

I’m also fascinated by the incredible energy, power and eerie beauty of lightning flashes and thunderstorms.

The intriguing time-lapse video featured below condenses several hours down to a mere 78 seconds.

During that time you’ll witness the fascinating formation of a lightning storm as it evolves from just a few gathering clouds into one of nature’s most dangerous, but also most beautiful phenomena.  [Read more…]

Did you know volcanoes can produce their own lightning bolts?

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Our world truly is an amazing place. Natural phenomena that can awe, terrify and inspire occur somewhere on our planet each and every day.

One phenomenon that can trigger all those feelings at once is lightning.

Virtually everyone has experienced the power and beauty of a lightning strike while waiting out a passing thunderstorm, but did you know volcanoes can produce their own lightning strikes even on a clear and sunny day?

[Read more…]

Video: Lightning in Super-Slow Motion

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Confession time…

I have always been fascinated and intrigued by thunder and lightning!

Why? Because few things in nature are better at combining incredible beauty with feelings of danger and fear.

Some folks think I’m off my rocker when I tell them I enjoy sitting on my porch and taking in the “show” of a thunderstorm that’s playing out in real time before my very eyes.  [Read more…]

Did you know Lightning strikes the earth up to 100 times every second – of every day?

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Lightning is one of the most powerful and most awe-inspiring forces in nature.

Just how powerful is lightning? Well, consider this…

A typical lightning bolt delivers around 300 million Volts and 30,000 Amps of electricity!

What’s more, just one large thunderstorm can produce thousands of lightning bolts as it moves across the earth’s surface, inducing awe, fear and fascination in those who witness its passage.

Most people assume that lightning is rare because we only see it when a storm happens to pass through our local area.

But truth be told, it isn’t rare at all.

[Read more…]

Q&A: Why don’t planes crash after they’re struck by lightning?

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Question from Janine:  I heard on the news the other day that a plane got struck by lightning, but they said it didn’t crash and no one on the plane got hurt.

I was shocked when the news guy said this actually happens a lot.

How is it even possible for a plane to get struck by lightning and not crash?  [Read more…]