1/17/2024 0 Comments Human struck by lightning scarsIndirect lightning strikes are strikes that discharge their electricity into another object before hitting a person. They were underneath a tree when lightning struck.Ī side flash is a type of indirect lightning strike. You may remember hearing about a lightning strike at a PGA Tour Championship that injured six fans. A lot of side flash lightning strike victims are those seeking shelter under a tree or other tall object, which is something you should never do during a thunderstorm. Side flashes generally occur when victims are a foot or two away from the object that is struck. Side flashes are responsible for about 33% of lightning fatalities. What is a Side Flash?Ī side flash (or side splash) occurs when lightning strikes a taller object near you and a portion of the current jumps from the taller object to your body. This means you can be several miles away from a lightning strike and still launch an upward leader. All you need to do is be in a high electric field or be close to any channel of the lightning flash. You do not have to be close to the strike point for this to happen. Trees and other tall objects can also launch upward leaders. When lightning strikes the ground, you can launch an upward leader. Upward leaders are responsible for 10% of lightning fatalities. Streamersare a part of most lightning strikes. The video below shows an Earth Networks Total Lightning Network analysis of a case where a lightning strike traveled through a cell phone charging wire and struck a teenager. Lightning can travel a long distance in wiring or other metal surfaces, which is one of the many reasons why conduction lightning strikes kill people both indoors and outdoors every year. Remember to always take indoor lightning safety seriously. Indoors, this includes anything that plugs into an electrical outlet, water faucets and showers, corded phones, and windows and doors. People both inside and outside are at risk for conduction lightning strikes if they are in contact with anything connected to metal wires, plumbing, or any other metal surfaces, like a chain-link fence. While metal doesn’t attract lightning, it does unfortunately provide a path for the lightning to follow.Ĭontact strikes account for 3% of all lightning strikes. What is Conduction?Ĭonductionlightning strikes happen when lightning travels through wires or metal surfaces before hitting a person. These lightning strike victims often do not know a lightning threat is present. during the first six months of 2019 alone? That’s 8,170,185 potential direct lightning strike victims!ĭirect lightning strikes often hit people open areas. Did you that our total lightning detection network detected 8,170,185 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes in the U.S. While direct lightning strikes are potentially the most deadly, they are the least likely to occur.ĭirect lightning strikes are almost always cloud-to-ground lightning strikes. When you about think being struck by lightning, a direct strike is probably what comes to mind first. Normally it moves through the cardiovascular and/or the nervous systems. Then a portion of the current moves through the body. The technical phrase for this process is “flashover”. If you’re struck by a direct lightning strike, a portion of the current moves along and just over the skin surface. Ground Current (Indirect) What is a Direct Lightning Strike?Ī direct lightning strike is when lightning strikes a person directly, meaning the person becomes a part of the main lightning discharge channel.Īccording to our lightning scientists, direct strikes are responsible for the least amount of lightning strike fatalities and injuries, accounting for just 3%. There are five ways lightning can strike you: Indirect lightning strikes are responsible for most human lightning injuries and fatalities. While direct strikes can hit people and even kill them, that’s not the most common way it happens. When you think of lightning striking a person, you might imagine a strike directly hitting them. Don’t Have Time to Read the Entire Guide Now?ĭownload a PDF version of the guide you can reference later.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |