Above: Front of the Specimen Card.

When lightning strikes dry sand, the intense heat melts and fuses the silica creating tubes of rough glass called fulgurites. The process happens quickly, often trapping molecules from the surrounding atmosphere inside the walls of the impact tube. These natural time capsules allow scientists to study the composition of ancient climates.

This specimen is a fulgurite collected in the Sahara Desert. Originally featured in the Second Edition of the Mini Museum, we're happy to offer it as a stand-alone specimen for your collection.