I was trying to find out whether most quartz crystals are caused by cloud lightning or Volcanic eruption lightning. I didn't exactly get the answer but this is what I found so far.
begin quote from:
www.treasuremountainmining.com/index.php?route=pavblog/blog&id=50
Dec 14, 2014 - Reproducing the effects of lightning on quartz
crystals in a laboratory setting has proven to be very challenging.
After exploring a variety of methods to try to reproduce the
characteristic patterns, the study concluded that this pattern cannot be
created by any mechanical process. 7" Lightning-struck quartz, ...
Lightning-Struck Quartz: It's For Real!
Write By: tmmadmin
Published In:
Mineral Species
Created Date: 2014-12-14
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8.8" Lightning-struck Quartz, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
For many years,
itinerant miners in of the Serra de Espinhaco Mountains of Brazil have
reported finding "flash stones" - now demonstrated to be the result of
lightning traveling through a quartz crystal while still in the ground.
The Espinha?o range is frequently hit by orographic thunderstorms, which
produce the greatest number of lightning strikes. Interestingly,
orographic lightning has some peculiar features: it reaches velocities
of 160,000 m/s (524,934 ft/s), and it achieves plasma temperatures of
30,000°C in nanoseconds. Evidences of the effect of this special
lightning on lightning-struck quartz crystals are the presence of
beta-quartz (which only forms at temperatures over 573°C), along with
the presence of cristobalite, the high-temperature modification of
quartz (which forms at temperatures of about 1,715°C). Also, an enormous
pressure of about 35.00 bar (508 psi) is evidence by the presence of
coesite, the rare high-pressure polymorph of quartz. The stresses caused
by this very rapid heating and cooling, along with the intense
electrical charge and the high pressure, creates a characteristic
zig-zag fracture pattern on the surface of the affected quartz crystals.
Close ups of zig-zag fracture areas on lightning-struck quartz
Reproducing the
effects of lightning on quartz crystals in a laboratory setting has
proven to be very challenging. After exploring a variety of methods to
try to reproduce the characteristic patterns, the study concluded that
this pattern cannot be created by any mechanical process.
7" Lightning-struck quartz, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
At the
high-voltage lab at the Technical Institute of Vienna, Austria and at
Ilmenau University in Germany, scientists were finally able to match the
unique, shallow zig-zag lightning tracks on quartz that is the hallmark
of lightning struck quartz. To form these crystals it takes a unique
combination of geological, morphological, climatological, and
meteorological conditions. This means that lightning-struck quartz is
very scarce, making it a highly valued item for mineral and gem
collectors.
6.2" Lightning-struck quartz, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
People who are
interested in metaphysics and crystal healing believe that
lightning-struck quartz crystals have unique and powerful qualities. We
offer detailed information about this in the description of the
individual crystals we offer for sale.
5.6" Lightning-struck quartz, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
We are fortunate
to have become friends with well-known mineral dealer Luis Menezes, who
has been supplying us with these unique crystals since 2005. At the
Tucson show this year, Luis had brought about 8 boxes of newly-uncovered
lightning struck quartz, and gave us first pick of the lot. Click here
to visit the special gallery in our web sight which features these very
special crystals.
All specimens and photos are from www.TreasureMountainMining.com.
To see our current selection of lightning struck quartz crystals, please click here.
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