[Rockhounds] fulgurites

[Earl R. Verbeek]

Good morning Bob,

New Jersey isn't such a great place for fulgurites because it's so
heavily vegetated.  In desert environments a promising thing to do is to
drive along power lines and inspect each pole for signs of damage by
lightning, and inspect the ground around the pole for signs of
discoloration.  The poles are often hit by lightning, so it's around
their base that people go to hunt for fulgurites.

Other than that, the best bet is to go to sandy areas (dune complexes by
the shore) and look for the top of a fulgurite sticking out of the sand.
That's a long shot, but commonly the best we can do around here.  Also
check out any high, sparsely vegetated promontories for rock fulgurites,
places where lightning struck the ground and partially melted the rock,
so you get a glassy glaze on the surface.  Those are fulgurites too.
Again this is easier to do out West, where there are numerous peaks
above timberline, but it can happen here in little old New Jersey too.

Good luck out there....

                   Cheers-     Earl


-----Original Message-----
From: rockhounds-bounces at lists.drizzle.com
[mailto:rockhounds-bounces at lists.drizzle.com] On Behalf Of ROBERT A
SANTEE
Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 9:19 AM
To: rockhounds at lists.drizzle.com
Subject: [Rockhounds] fulgurites

Hi can anybody give me any info how I can find fulgurites I just started
to collect them and I thought it would be great to look for them.I live
in New Jersey and I do not no if that would be a good area to collect
them any info would be great thanks bob.