Thunderstorms can make the tips of tree leaves glow with ghostly electricity
During intense thunderstorms, the sharp points of tree leaves can emit a faint, violet-blue light known as St. Elmo’s Fire, caused by the buildup of powerful electrical fields in the atmosphere.
This eerie luminous phenomenon occurs when the electric field surrounding a storm becomes strong enough to ionize the air. Because electrical charges concentrate at sharp points, the jagged edges of leaves act as natural lightning rods. This creates a continuous spark called a corona discharge, which glows with a haunting blue or violet hue.
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