Abstract
Fulgurite is a kind of mineral produced along the passage of lightning current in the sand, rock, etc., and is characterized by some natural quartz glasses. The production mechanism of fulgurite has not yet been clarified because the lightning is an accidental phenomenon.
In the present study, the authors succeeded in the artificial production of the fulgurite from the prepared materials in a container, passing through it lightning currents triggered by rockets.
The authors performed the physical and chemical analysis of this fulgurite.
So, we will explain the facts that we have observed.
(1) We have found the production mechanism of fuigurite.
(2) The passage of lightning current is instantaneous (ms). The temperature of the rock rose higher than 1000°C, and was dissipated in the next moment. The cross section of fulgurite has been studied by SEM. It has been found that two kinds of patches, a patch of unaltered material and a patch of the material solidified after the melting, coexist in the small area of a few mm2.
It is believed that this is the first success in the artificial production of fulgurite by utilizing rocket triggered lightning in the world.
