Lightning strikes four times in the same spot

[Earthnut]

[wolvesevolve]

A bit of bad reporting, observer error/lack of knowledge of lightning sequences. I learned a little about lightning strikes in a geography class recently, someone on the news station's website made the comment about the error and added this link

https://hyperphysics....htning2.html#c1

so what was actually seen were 3 flashes that kinda looked like 4 at the end of the video, which I guess the last flash shimmered a bit or the last dart leader part of the sequence was more visible than usual before the final return stroke to look like two flashes? The video footage though verifies it's the same lightning strike as it has the same exact form, not separate strikes (which would have to have at least a slightly different shape/angle).

[Earthnut]

Sure appreciate you clearing this up Bruno. I had never heard this before and did question it, but thought it was worth sharing. It's still an amazing sight whether it's the same strike or multiple.

[wolvesevolve]

Cross-pollinating threads: Darlene you need to get on watching Fringe! In the episode leading up to the finale of last season there's a plot point of locating areas where lightning strikes twice :)

[Earthnut]

I haven't even seen season one of Fringe, and plan on playing catch me up soon. Regret not watching it when it first aired. I hear it's a great show.

[Libby]

Lightning is a strange phenomenon, despite all that we already know about it. It results from differences in electrical charge within a storm system, but where it strikes isn't so easy to predict. It's often thought that lightning takes the easiest route to ground, hence hitting tall buildings or even trees. But there's the phenomenon of a "leader" being produced from the ground/building/tree upwards first, and then the electrical discharge from the clouds travelling down the path the leader has established. That's usually the reason why some tall buildings are frequently hit by lightning strikes.

But that doesn't account for lightning striking completely out of the blue. Here's a video that shows a lightning strike onto the sea:

There have been cases where people out surfing have been hit by lightning. Sea water, being salty, would conduct electricity better than fresh water, so surfers or swimmers are at a disadvantage if there's a lightning strike nearby, compared with being on land. Scary stuff!

[Earthnut]

Wow. Wonder which is louder, a bomb dropping or lightning.

[The Old Man]

Wow that was scary lightning! I wonder why anyone in the ocean doesn't get a shock when the bolt hits the water, no matter how far away?