Other phosphates, such as fertilizer, given the rarity of it occurring naturally. Many could have been important in the development of life on Earth.Īccording to Pasek, it’s unlikely this material could be mined for uses similar to scars are more readily identifiable soon after the lightning strike and may take. Phosphite reservoir issue in Earth that these solid phosphite materials are hard toįeng says this research may reveal other forms of reduced minerals are plausible and Damage to a tree when struck by lightning will vary according to the. “Previous researchers indicate that lightning reduction of phosphate to have beenĪ widespread phenomenon on the early Earth,” Feng said. Will turn into the mineral found in meteorites. The material likely forms quickly under precise conditions, and if heated too long, The experiment was unsuccessful and indicates Inside the fulgurite, a colorful, crystal-like matter revealed a material never beforeĬo-principal investigator Tian Feng, a graduate of USF’s geology program, attempted to remake the material in a lab. The two elements led to a chemical reaction that created a fulgurite that looked On the tree roots, but it combusted the naturally occurring carbon in the tree as In this case, not only did the lightning strike combust the iron In wet environments, such as in Florida, Pasek says iron will often accumulate andĮncrust tree roots. – if lightning is strong enough to melt rock, it can certainly melt people too.” “Florida is the lightning capital of the world and lightning safety is important Generally, lightning will do at least one of the following three things when it decides to victimize a tree: Scarring, No Damage, and/or Complete Destruction. Much damage a lightning strike can cause on average and how dangerous it is,” Pasek “It’s important to understand how much energy lightning has because then we know how Together, the team set out to investigate unusual minerals that bear the element phosphorus,Įspecially those formed by lightning, to better understand high-energy phenomena. Pasek purchased it, and laterīegan a collaboration with Luca Bindi, a professor of mineralogy and crystallography These patterns, which look like fern-leaves, are known as Lichtenberg figures. When the New Port Richey homeowners discovered the ‘lightning scar’, they found aįulgurite and decided to sell it, assuming it had value. Not only that, they have all been given a unique mark on their skin in the areas that were affected by the lightning. Sample of the New Port Richey fulgurite | Photo by: Matthew Pasek | Grass dies, forming a scar and sending electric discharge through nearby rock, soilĪnd sand, forming fulgurites, also known as ‘fossilized lightning’,” Pasek said. “When lightning strikes a tree, the ground typically explodes out and the surrounding Reactions, and in this instance, result in a new material – one that is transitionalīetween space minerals and minerals found on Earth. In a recent study published in Communications Earth & Environment, Pasek examines how high-energy events, such as lightning, can cause unique chemical “We have never seen this material occur naturally on Earth – minerals similar to itĬan be found in meteorites and space, but we've never seen this exact material anywhere,” It was found in a rock – the first time in solid form on Earth – and could represent The electricity forms a “scar” in the surrounding soil and sends electric discharge through nearby rock, soil, and sand, forming fulgurites, also known as “fossilized lightning.By: Cassidy Delamarter, University Communications and MarketingĪfter lightning struck a tree in a New Port Richey neighborhood, a University of Southįlorida professor discovered the strike led to the formation of a new phosphorus material. “When lightning strikes a tree, the ground typically explodes out and the surrounding grass dies,” Pasek said. ”Īccording to a recent study published in Communications Earth & Environment, and shared by USF, Pasek examined how high-energy events, like lightning strikes, can cause unique chemical reactions resulting in materials. “Minerals similar to it can be found in meteorites and space, but we’ve never seen this exact material anywhere. “We have never seen this material occur naturally on Earth,” said Professor of Geosciences, Matthew Pasek. His discovery - a new phosphorus material found for the first time in solid form on planet Earth. (WFLA) - A professor at the University of South Florida made a groundbreaking discovery after analyzing a dirt sample that was struck by lightning in New Port Richey.
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