We have all heard the phrase that lightning never strikes twice, but when it strikes, it produces a catastrophic result.

Lightning can cause mass destruction when it strikes the land, but what about water? Although it is not as common, there have been instances where lightning strikes water but in much lesser events than on land. Each year, lightning affects many people. The cases regarding water are much lesser; let’s understand why.

What is lightning, and how does it strike?

When there is a giant spark of electricity, whether on the ground, in the air, or between clouds, it is known as lightning. In normal conditions, the air surrounding our atmosphere acts as an insulating medium between the positive and negative charges between clouds and the Earth. As more and more electrical charge builds up, it becomes harder for the air to act as an insulating medium.

When the insulation power of the air breaks down, there is a heavy release of electric charges from the clouds towards the Earth, which is known as lightning. As a result of the lightning being struck, the charged regions of the atmosphere are equalized. This is till the positive and negative charges build up again until it is time for another flash of lightning to release the charges.

Intracloud lightning and cloud-to-ground lightning are the two ways lightning strikes. Cloud-to-ground lightning, as the name suggests, is the release of electrical charges from clouds to the ground, one being the positive and the other the negative.

The other type is intra-cloud lightning, which occurs as a difference of electrical charges between two thunderstorm clouds.

Lightning is among the oldest natural phenomena known to man. It is accompanied by a number of other weather conditions and natural phenomena such as thunderstorms, extreme-level forest fires, volcanic eruptions, powerful snowstorms, hurricanes, and surface nuclear detonations. It often, although less commonly, strikes by itself. It can strike either the land or water, depending upon the region where the electrical charge is built up.

How does lightning strike water?

A wide majority of the flashes of lightning produced by thunderstorms are generated within the cloud itself. When the lightning flash is supposed to strike the Earth (either a land or a water body), a channel is developed from the lightning flash towards the Earth. Through this channel, the lightning strikes downward. When there is a distance of less than a hundred yards from the ground, the point of the lightning strike sends sparks up to meet the flash.

Now, typically, the objects present at the site of the flash would send sparks up to the lightning flash. This is the reason why most lightning flashes are received by land, trees, and objects like bushes and buildings. When the developing channel on the Earth has a spark that meets the upward channel, a huge burst of electrical energy is flashed towards the Earth.

Because water bodies do not contain trees and other tall objects, it is rare for lightning to strike water. However, it does not mean that no lightning flash ever strikes the water.

Part of the reason is that lightning isn’t always caused by a downward channel and upward channel connecting. Hence, water bodies can receive lightning strikes in the same way but what happens once it is done is a different situation.

What happens when lightning strikes water?

As mentioned before, lightning flashes can be extremely harmful to land. However, the situation with water is different.

Before the lightning is struck, a charge builds upon the surface of the water just like it would on trees and buildings. When it strikes, the majority of the electrical charges are discharged only around the surface of the water. This is the reason why despite water bodies being frequently struck by lightning, the fish do not die.

The only potentially dangerous spot when lightning strikes water is the surface. It is extremely risky to be swimming on the surface or boating when there is a thunderstorm.

One way to make sure that you do not get hit by lightning when you are swimming is to come out if you hear thunderstorms. On the other hand, you can swim deeper into the water body to protect yourself from potentially harmful lightning strikes.

It is important not to be around water bodies when there is a thunderstorm. Because there is a huge risk of potentially fatal electrical discharge accumulating at the surface of the water, you must take shelter when there is a thunderstorm.

The devastating effects of lightning striking water bodies include death, several disabilities, major muscle damage, and many other health problems. So, it is crucial that you take the appropriate measures when necessary.

Conclusion

When lightning strikes water, there is no immediate threat unless there are people on the surface or near it. You are in grave danger if you swim or boat during a lightning strike. A lightning strike causes an electrical discharge, so the further away you are from it, the better.