SCIENCE . TECHNOLOGY

Electric Skies: The Mystery of Lightning

45' (ENG, GER)

3.5 million lightning strikes hit the earth every day.

And the trend is rising, as extreme weather events are increasing dramatically from year to year. A single lightning strike releases enormous amounts of energy, sometimes reaching 100 million volts and 200,000 amps. Lightning can extend up to 700 kilometres and reach temperatures of up to 35,000 degrees Celcius. It is among the most dangerous and deadly force of nature. There are even so-called megaflashes, super-lightning bolts that can extend for hundreds of kilometres. Their destructive power is enormous. But scientists have now discovered that the enormous energy of lightning also has a life-promoting power and can promote plant growth. In fact, lightning even plays a central role in the origin of life.