Science Seminar: Earth Science

Lightning...
■ Causes an average of 55-60 fatalities and 400 injuries each year
■ Occurs with all thunderstorms
■ Costs more than $1 billion in insured losses each year

Thunderstorm,
lightning: formation of a thunderstorm [Credit: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]a violent, short-lived weather disturbance that is almost always associated with lightning, thunder, dense clouds, heavy rain or hail, and strong, gusty winds

Every thunderstorm produces lightning. In the United States, an average of 300 people are injured and 80 people
are killed each year by lightning. Although most lightning victims survive, people struck by lightning often report a
variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms. Other dangers associated with thunderstorms include tornadoes, strong
winds, hail and flash flooding.