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Lightning - One of Nature's Most Violent Forces |
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At any instant, there are more than 2,000 thunderstorms taking place throughout the world. These storms combine to produce about 100 lightning flashes per second, each one with a potential of up to a billion volts, currents ranging up to 200,000 amperes, and temperatures of over 54,000 degrees Fahrenheit. A moderate-sized thunderstorm at its peak can generate several hundred megawatts of electrical power, equivalent to the output of a small nuclear power plant. With so much energy being released, there is little wonder that lightning has considerable potential to cause damage. |
Page Last Revised |
Page & Curator Information |
08/21/2001 |
Curator:
Kay Grinter (kay.grinter-1@ksc.nasa.gov) /
InDyne, Inc. |
