Fulgurite
A rock subtype
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About Fulgurite
Natural silica-rich glass formed by lightning striking and melting sands or bare rock (colour is therefore variable, depending on the chemical composition of these sands and rocks.)
They form hollow tubes that are often irregular and branched.
Originally described from Senne plateau, Gütersloh, Eastern Westphalia, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
They form hollow tubes that are often irregular and branched.
Originally described from Senne plateau, Gütersloh, Eastern Westphalia, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
7747
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7747:3
Similar Names
| Falgarite | A valid IMA mineral species | K4(VO)3(SO4)5 |
| Folgerite | A synonym of Pentlandite | |
| Fulvurite | A synonym of 'Lignite' |
Classification of Fulgurite
Mineralogy of Fulgurite
Essential minerals - these are minerals that are required within the classification of this rock:
| Lechatelierite | SiO2 |
Synonyms of Fulgurite
Other Language Names for Fulgurite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 4 photos of Fulgurite associated with Lechatelierite | SiO2 |
Internet Links for Fulgurite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-7747.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
References for Fulgurite
Reference List:
Lysyuk, A. Yu., Yurgenson, G. A., Yushkin, N. P. (2006) Phytofulgurites: A new type of geological formations. Doklady Earth Sciences, 411 (2) 1431-1434 doi:10.1134/s1028334x06090212
Pasek, Matthew A., Block, Kristin, Pasek, Virginia (2012) Fulgurite morphology: a classification scheme and clues to formation. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 164 (3) 477-492 doi:10.1007/s00410-012-0753-5
Elmi, Chiara, Chen, Jiangzhi, Goldsby, David, Gieré, Reto (2017) Mineralogical and compositional features of rock fulgurites: A record of lightning effects on granite. American Mineralogist, 102 (7) 1470-1481 doi:10.2138/am-2017-5971
Pasek, Matthew A., Pasek, Virginia D. (2018) The forensics of fulgurite formation. Mineralogy and Petrology, 112 (2) 185-198 doi:10.1007/s00710-017-0527-x
Stefano, Christopher J. (2019) Fulgurites: Their Science, History, and Discovery by Matthew Pasek. Free Radical Consulting, 2703 Pemberton Creek Dr., Seffner FL 33584. 102 pages; 2017; $19.99 (softbound). Rocks & Minerals, 94 (3) 288 doi:10.1080/00357529.2018.1502596
Roberts, S.E., Sheffer, A.A., McCanta, M.C., Dyar, M.D., Sklute, E.C. (2019) Oxidation state of iron in fulgurites and Trinitite: Implications for redox changes during abrupt high-temperature and pressure events. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 266. 332-350 doi:10.1016/j.gca.2019.08.021
Stefano, Christopher J., Hackney, Stephen A., Kampf, Anthony R. (2020) The occurrence of iron silicides in a fulgurite: Implications for fulgurite genesis. The Canadian Mineralogist, 58 (1) 115-123 doi:10.3749/canmin.1900019
Feng, Tian, Abbatiello, Joshua, Omran, Arthur, Mehta, Christopher, Pasek, Matthew A. (2021) Iron Silicides in Fulgurites. Minerals, 11 (12) 1394 doi:10.3390/min11121394
Çalişkanoğlu, A. Zeynep, Cimarelli, Corrado, Dingwell, Donald B., Camara, Alessandra S.B. (2024) Experimental vs. natural fulgurite: A comparison and implications for the formation process. American Mineralogist, 109 (10). 1682-1690 doi:10.2138/am-2023-9192
Localities for Fulgurite
Showing 60 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Sorrell (n.d.) |
| Gifford (1999) |
| Gifford (1999) | |
Austria | |
| Kirchner et al. (2011) |
Belgium | |
| |
| Hacquaert (1939) +2 other references | |
| Van Tassel (1955) +1 other reference | |
| Van Tassel (1958) +1 other reference | |
DR Congo | |
| Roccati (1907) |
Egypt | |
| Lavinsky (n.d.) |
Germany | |
| |
| Rocks & Min. |
| Th. Thieme collection | |
| |
| Rappenglück (2022) |
India | |
| - (1998) |
Italy | |
| Rutley (1889) +1 other reference |
Japan | |
| cam.arts.usf.edu (n.d.) |
Libya | |
| |
Morocco | |
| A. M. I. Martins collection |
| Ben Youssef Malek specimen | |
Netherlands | |
| T.G. Nijland |
| Tinbergen (1984) |
| T.G. Nijland |
New Zealand | |
| Rod Martin Collection |
Russia | |
| - (n.d.) |
| camb.demonhosting.co.uk (n.d.) |
Saudi Arabia | |
| Gnos et al. (2013) |
Uganda | |
| Roccati (1907) |
| Roccati (1907) | |
UK | |
| |
USA | |
| |
| Mineralogical Rearch Company. |
| Ed Richardson collection | |
| Jour. Geol. et al. (1946) | |
| |
| John Burnham | |
| Moritz (n.d.) |
| Marc V. Hurst (2010) |
| Pasek et al. (2009) | |
| Marc V. Hurst (2010) |
| Marc V. Hurst (2010) | |
| Marc V. Hurst (2010) | |
| Rocks & Min. |
| Patricia Berry Barker collection |
| - (2005) |
| Stefano +2 other references |
| John Burnham collection | |
| |
| AmMin 10:152-155 |
| |
| Rocks & Min: Nov |
| |
| California Geology |
| Pasek et al. (2012) |
| |
| Mineralogical Research Co. specimens. |
| Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVII (2006) |
| Am Jour. of Science et al. (July 1899) |
Evans Head, Richmond Co., New South Wales, Australia