Red Lightning Unveiled: 15 Shocking Discoveries That Will Electrify Your Mind!

13. Garnet Bolts: Rare Red Cloud-to-Ground Lightning

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One of the most odd and least known types of red lightning are garnet bolts. Unlike most red lightning events occurring in the high atmosphere, garnet bolts are an uncommon form of cloud-to-- earth lightning seen by humans that appears red. Usually starting from the lower sections of thunderclouds, these bolts land on the earth and remain their unique red hue all the way. Still up for great scientific discussion is the process causing these bolts to be red. Certain air contaminants or particulates that change the usual blue-white appearance of lightning could be the cause of the red colour, according some researchers. Others propose that it could have anything to do with anomalous atmospheric conditions along the lightning route or special charge distribution inside the thundercloud. Their possible influence on ground-based systems makes garnet bolts especially fascinating. Recent research indicates that these red lightning strikes might have different electromagnetic properties than usual lightning, therefore influencing electrical networks and technological equipment in hitherto unanticipated ways. Scientists are also looking at whether garnet bolts can cause distinctive chemical changes in the air and soil near the hit location, therefore affecting local ecosystems. Research on garnet bolts is testing our knowledge of cloud-to- ground lightning mechanisms and providing new directions of inquiry in atmospheric electricity.