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lightning

A large tree with pink blossoms towers above a forest of other green trees.
Posted inNews

Some Tropical Trees Benefit from Lightning Strikes

Katherine Kornei, Science Writer by Katherine Kornei 12 May 2025

Direct lightning strikes cause minimal damage to Dipteryx oleifera. But these same strikes effectively kill parasitic vines and neighboring trees that compete with the species for light and nutrients.

Artist’s conception of an airplane flying above thunderstorm clouds tinted pink to represent gamma ray emissions
Posted inScience Updates

A New View of Gamma Rays from Thunderclouds

by Arve Aksnes, Nikolai Østgaard, Martino Marisaldi and Ingrid Bjørge-Engeland 25 April 202525 April 2025

Observations from high-flying aircraft revealed that thunderclouds act as natural particle accelerators, emitting energetic electromagnetic radiation more often than scientists expected.

A crowd of thousands of people stand outdoors.
Posted inNews

Large Outdoor Gatherings Expose Event-Goers to Severe Weather

Katherine Kornei, Science Writer by Katherine Kornei 21 April 202521 April 2025

Researchers pinpointed the riskiest events in terms of lightning and tornado exposure by mining data from more than 16,000 large outdoor gatherings.

A photo of lightning bolts being emitted from a storm cloud.
Posted inEditors' Highlights

Rapid Thunderstorm Charging Produces Strong Gamma‐Ray Glows

by Xiushu Qie 21 March 202520 March 2025

A new study explains how thunderstorm electric fields produce strong gamma‐ray glows with oscillating gamma‐ray rates, and that these oscillations develop into intense pulse trains that closely resemble terrestrial gamma-ray flashes.

A lightning flash extending outside of a thundercloud.
Posted inEditors' Highlights

Lightning Initiating at High Altitudes May Develop Continuously

by Xiushu Qie 15 November 202412 November 2024

Recent radio observations reveal a new mode of initial lightning development in the form of continuous initial breakdown burst of several kilometers in length at high altitudes within thunderstorms.

Photo of a lightning strike.
Posted inEditors' Highlights

Phased-Array Radar Detection of Electrically Aligned Ice Crystals

by Xiushu Qie 17 April 202412 April 2024

A new method for observing electrically aligned ice crystals in localized storms can detect the onset of electrification and lightning in developing storms.

Artist’s rendering of NASA’s Parker Solar Probe during a fly-by of Venus
Posted inNews

Lightning Struck Down as Source of a Venus Whistler

Kimberly M. S. Cartier, News Writing and Production Intern for Eos.org by Kimberly M. S. Cartier 13 December 202313 December 2023

Whistlers were a key piece of evidence in favor of Venusian lightning. New measurements question the connection.

A large bolt of lightning strikes the ocean.
Posted inNews

Ocean Vessels May Trigger Lightning Strikes

by Nathaniel Scharping 11 December 202311 December 2023

Previous research indicated aerosols in ship exhaust could enhance lightning. New research indicates the ships themselves may be to blame as well.

2 maps of the western United States
Posted inEditors' Highlights

Wet Conditions Delay Wildfire Detection

by Guiling Wang 29 August 202328 August 2023

When accompanied by a considerable amount of rainfall, ignition of wildfire by lightning over forested land may not be detected until days later.

Photo of lightning striking trees.
Posted inEditors' Vox

Lightning-Caused Wildfires are 80 Percent More Likely Under Dry Vegetation

by Krishna Rao, Noah S. Diffenbaugh, Alexandra G. Konings, A. Park Williams, Marta Yebra and Colleen Bryant 2 August 20232 August 2023

Mimicking a randomized control trial of wildfires, scientists use satellites to uncover the key role of vegetation dryness in wildfire risk, aiding wildfire management and preparedness in California.

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