How it is Formed
    Types of Lightning
    Safety Tips
    Common myths
 
Lightnings

Even today the phenomenon of lightning is still not fully understood. It is awesome and frightening to many and because of the mystery that surrounds it, several cultures have developed different beliefs about it. Some African cultures believe that when someone is hit by lightning that he/she was cursed even before the event. The Romans and Greeks believed that the gods were fighting and this was one of their weapons. Lightning kills and injures many people, starts thousands of forest fires, and causes millions of dollars in property damage every year.

Common Misconceptions about Lightning


There are many myths and misconceptions about lightning and some of them are very dangerous. The old expression that lightning never strikes twice in the same place is not true. Indeed it has been shown that some very tall buildings have been struck several times in the same storm. Also, many people, especially children, think that during a thunderstorm it is better to seek shelter under tall trees. This in fact is very dangerous, for tall trees are more likely to get struck by lightning. Yet another erroneous belief is that a clap of thunder always occurs after a bolt of lightning. In fact, many thunderclaps are never heard due to their distance from the observer.