the setting sun. The Catatumbo Lightnings is the local name of a set of electric storms that takes place mainly in the southwestern quadrant of the Maracaibo Lake Basin (MLB), in Venezuela, between the Bravo and . For those of you who don't know (and didn't click on that last link), Catatumbo lightning is one of the world's most frequent lightning displays, with thunderstorms forming over the Catatumbo River in Venezuela an average of 160 nights per year. Nevertheless, the fishermen and other workers have to continue to do their jobs in dangerous conditions. It comes from Photographer Chris Kotsiopoulos when he left to document the total lunar eclipse over Ikaria Island, Greece on 15th June 2011. Sadly, there is still violence on the Colombian side of the Catatumbo river basin, but that does not affect the Venezuelan side at all. stroboscopic light show silhouetted the palm trees and stilt houses along the The locals in the area are often alarmed when the lightning stops, even if for a while, as the lightnings have become such a regular part of their daily life, acting like a natural lighthouse guiding their direction in the darkness. Catatumbo lightning at night. Built on stilts, some of Photograph of World's First Robot: Fact Check, Jellyfish Sprite Photo, Rare Atmospheric Phenomenon in Sky: Fact Check, Man Survives Being Hit by Lightning Twice in Remarkable CCTV Footage Facts, Two Brothers Pose for a Photo Before Lightning Struck Them Facts Analysis, Images of Gorgeous New Planet NASA Found: Fact Check, Australian Researchers Discovered Gold in Eucalyptus Leaves: Fact Check, IIT Delhi Students Invented Eggs to Grow on Plants: Fact Check, High Speed Brain Training Workshop: Fact Check, Rare Blue Moon on 31 October, Wonder After 76 Years: Fact Check. 3 days is super tight from Caracas because Catatumbo is normally a 2 day tour from Mrida, and just getting to Mrida by plane is a day because there is no flight in the morning before the tour, so you would have to arrive to Mrida the night before the tour. Though, human-made problems mean that careful preparations are essential. Topography and Lightning: The Lake Maracaibo basin is located between the most northern ridges of the Andes Mountain Range. the house. There's even a name for it Catatumbo lightning. Lightning strikes on the horizon over Lake Maracaibo in the village of Ologa, where the Catatumbo River feeds into the lake, in the western state of Zulia October 24, 2014. Lightning produces nitrogen oxide which breaks down by sunlight and converts into ozone. "Maracaibo's Lighthouse" and "the Never-Ending Storm of Catatumbo" are both used to describe the area where lightning strikes over 300 days per year. clouds until the flashes became too frequent and we could no longer keep track. It occurs only over the mouth of the Catatumbo River where it empties into Lake Maracaibo. There's even a name for it Catatumbo lightning. That's about 28 lighting strikes every minute enough energy to power 100 million light bulbs. So for the residents of one of the Venezuelan regions, nature has saved almost nightly incessant light-music: in a place where the Catatumbo River flows into Lake Maracaibo, lightning hits 1.21.6 million times a year. The This phenomenon is called Catatumbo lightning. Violent discharges of lightning from an inclined wind tower over Lake Maracaibo (Catatumbo thunderstorm, the place with the highest lightning density on earth . And the spectacular phenomenon may even be responsible for Venezuela's independence. Sometimes referred to as Venezuela's "eternal thunderstorm," the Catatumbo Lightning doesn't actually fire nonstop, but for at least a few centuries, it has occurred around 150 times per year. Lightning over Lake Maracaibo. Life around Lake Maracaibo. The Catatumbo lightning has become a major tourist attraction for the surrounding region, with visitors coming from all over the world to witness the spectacular phenomenon. What is the Catatumbo Lightning? In Merida town (a 2,5-kilometer drive south from the lake) you can book an arranged jeep tour, paragliding, horse riding and rafting. National Park. We got: *Huge steppes *Super tall mountains with a glacier *Jungle *Tons of beaches with several beautiful tropical paradise archipelagos Sometimes it lasts as long as 10 hours per day, with as many as 300 lightning strikes per hour. the lightening arcs between the The Catatumbo Lightning, also known as the Beacon of Maracaibo or the "everlasting storm", is seasonal lightning around Lake Maracaibo (13,200 square kilometres) in northern Venezuela. It occurs over the mouth of the Catatumbo River, emptying into Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela, South America. in Spanish as the relmpago de Catatumbo, this unique meteorological phenomenon With over a million lightning discharges per year, Catatumbo Lightning plays an important role in not just impressing tourists but also helping to regenerate the earth's ozone - protecting humans, animals and plants from the sun's UV radiation. Scientists think the Catatumbo, named for a river that runs into the lake, is normal lightning that just happens to occur far more than anywhere else, due to local topography and wind patterns. According to NASA, lightning strikes the roughly 100-square-mile area about 28 times a minute over the course of nine hours. Catatumbo means "House of Thunder" in the language of the Bari people. storms, and it is possible that part of the ozone generated could reach the The daily thunderstorm is used by sailors and residents as guide. the bolts strike too close. ohh yeah, we got weird stuff everywhere. The origin of the Catatumbo Lightning is unknown. "You should be afraid, but it is so impressive that your fear gets overwhelmed. The lightning displays last up to 9 hours, beginning . Found at the mouth of the Catatumbo River in Venezuela, the ceaseless lightning show has generated many legends and myths among the native population. There are natural phenomena that people can witness with a fair amount of regularity. Find the perfect catatumbo lightning lake maracaibo stock photo. [2] It originates from a mass of storm clouds at an . After a late-afternoon swim in Lake If you're not faint of heart, you should know about the Maracaibo beacon. Known Lake Maracaibo basin is surrounded by mountains that trap warm trade winds coming off the Caribbean. In an email to The Huffington Post, Guinness explained: The Catatumbo Lightning occurs in Venezuela over the mouth of the Catatumbo River as it enters Lake Maracaibo. Old Faithful is a geyser that goes off, well, faithfully. Browse 27 catatumbo lightning stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. There is a location in Venezuela known where lightning strikes up to 280 times an hour, 160 nights a year in an atmospheric phenomenon known as Catatumbo lightning. Highton They say the rare atmospheric phenomenon known as Catatumbo lightning is going on since at least 16th century. A long time ago, it confused . Lightning happens up to 300 nights per year in displays that can last nine hours. have witnessed these nightly electrical storms for hundreds of years. explained. optimistic about our chances of seeing it during our visit. 5:44. a magical touch to the scene. Why Does Catatumbo Lightning Appear? On the other hand, the frequency of lightning changes throughout the year, and is different from year to year. This topographic configuration . (Alan Highton). indigenous Bari from the western mountains of the Sierra de Perij, located about Nearly every day, there are hundreds of lightning strikes around Venezuela's Lake Maracaibo. Venezuelan The lightning was very popular with Caribbean sailors in colonial times because of the brightness and visibility up to 400 kilometers (250 miles) away. The Catatumbo lightning has been observed for centuries over Lake Maracaibo. For example, the American scientist Andrew Zavrotsky is inclined to think that a huge amount of uranium is concentrated in the wetlands of the river. at least momentarily. now enjoyed the full Catatumbo experience, I could see why serious storm chasers Almost The village of Congo in Venezuela, which sits on the shore of Lake Maracaibo, is known by many names. that then discharge electricity in powerful cloud-to-cloud storms. However the Wari, an indigenous group native to the area, believe that the origin is due to an incredible amount of fireflies that gathered there to pay tribute to the parents of creation. Generally, many find this legend to be an unacceptable explanation; hence many scientists like Melchor Centeno, Andrew Zavrotsky, Nelson Falcn have attempted to resolve this enigma. Highton Yes, that is quite the show. 2. Catatumbo lightning: 280 thunderless lightings per hour, ten hours per day, 140 days a year, for hundreds of years . But there are proponents of a different opinion. Leader Pablo Catatumbo, former senate candidate for the Common Alternative Revolutionary Force political party, arrives at the Special Jurisdiction. If they are able to do that, then everyone in the area could safely enjoy the show from inside their homes. Kifuka, a village in the It is not thunderless. getting closer. As torrential rain Where is always lightning? first yellow sparks erupted within the darkening clouds. Weather forecast : process of making it and importance in our life. Known in Spanish as the relmpago de Catatumbo, this unique meteorological phenomenon features the most consistent lightning of any place on Earth, with flashes illuminating the sky nearly half. 1. Title: VENEZUELA-CATATUMBO The "Catatumbo Lightning": Venezuela's eternal storm; Date: 7th November 2014; . said NASA satellite images have recorded two storm epicentres contributing to the lightning: one over the Photo credit: Thechemicalengineer. Scientists suggested the conductivity of the air above the lake Maracaibo gets a boost from the abundance of Methane from oil fields below. Democratic Republic of Congo, last held the record; but while Kifuka produces warm air over brackish Lake Maracaibo before hitting cool air from the Andes. "The lightning can be so continuous that you see everything around you," Muoz said. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Here, a thin strip of sand, scrub and palm trees electrical storms on the planet, but the This may sound strange, but for some people, lightning is a rare phenomenon, for others, it is a daily routine. the form of celestial fireflies. During this nocturnal phenomenon, there are over 250 strikes per square kilometre and they occur up to . It originates from a mass of storm clouds at an altitude of more than 1 km, and occurs during 140 to 160 nights a year, 10 hours per day, and up to 280 times per hour.It occurs over and around Lake. blows that away with 250 bolts per square kilometre and a staggering 1.6 10 hours per night. For 140 to 160 nights out of the year, for 10 hours at a time, the sky above the river is pierced by almost constant lightning, producing as many as 280 strokes per hour. Tour activities & itinerary Cruise through the Catatumbo lagoon by Expedition Tours are classic formations associated with lightning. But would you be eager to go to a place where you know that there will be a lot of lightning? It does not hold true to the location in Venezuela. These storms can last up to 10 . History books actually now show the lightning has played a significant role in Venezuelan history, helping thwart at least two nocturnal invasions of the country. million bolts annually. far, no scientific studies have backed up his claim, but British physicist and Meteorologists For decades, experts sought reasons for the areas uniquely intense storms. Polar beers in hand, we watched as the The original name was rib a-ba or "river of fire". Although Catatumbo lightning has been around for thousands years. The Truth About Venezuela's Catatumbo Lightning. The Catatumbo lightning has been observed for centuries over Lake Maracaibo. although Catatumbo is probably more reliable.. Many scientists have proposed that this disruption was caused by climate change, deforestation and the development of agriculture around Lake Maracaibo. This fact is explained both by ancient legends and modern science. separates the southern shore of Lake Maracaibo from Ologa Lagoon, where 30 or so brightly painted corrugated Study Resources. World Records recognized it as the site of the And with a wry smile, he added, I've yet to lose a tourist.. Electrical and broadcast towers are . This is my own hypothesis, Quiroga wrote to me, named Catatumbo Camp. Lightning strikes over the Catatumbo River and Lake Maracaibo. Highton, a 50-year-old Barbadian expat and tour guide. The profession of a meteorologist. massive lightning storms that have made this remote corner of Venezuela famous. Lighting strikes this region 300. . ozone layer and is campaigning for the entire ecosystem that produces the We didnt hear thunder . Kifuka, which held this title until January 2014 with 158 lightning bolts . somehow feels timeless. They say the rare atmospheric phenomenon known as Catatumbo lightning is going on since at least 16th century. The earthen drafts carry gases skyward, feeding the celestial fire like dry kindling. The timing and exact location of a lightning strike tends to be inherently unpredictable, yet at the mouth of the Catatumbo River where the water empties in to Venezuela's Lake Maracaibo there are so many lightning strikes that they can be reliably observed almost every night of the year. It occurs on average 260 nights a year and up to 280 times per hour. Known as Relmpago del Catatumbo, the storm is located where. On the way, we marvelled at big-billed toucans, bright green The Catatumbo lightning, although not rare or . These winds crash into cool air spilling down from . No need to register, buy now! Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. believe the lightning is created by the spirits of ancient ancestors who take We began our journey from the Read about our approach to external linking. in the electrifying spectacle until the lightning flashes began to wane. Mark Heath got to see nature at its most incredible: the awe inspiring Catatumbo lightning storms. Unlike normal thunderstorms, this thunderstorm always occurs in the same place and can be observed 160 nights per year. The . the tropical forests and swampland of Cinagas de Juan Manuel Catatumbo Lightning, Strikes Hundreds of Times in Venezuela, Catatumbo Lightning, Strikes Hundreds of Times in Venezuela: Fact Check. According to NASA, the reason for the lightning is due to the air current. A picture message in circulation claims to show a persistent storm in Venezuela produces lightning 140 to 160 nights a year, 10 hours per day and up to 280 times per hour. Catatumbo lightning, Catatumbo River, Venezuela Unique to Venezuela, this type of lightning can only be observed over the mouth of the Catatumbo River where it empties into Lake Maracaibo. Then came a 40-minute Lightning originates from a mass of storm clouds at a height of more than 1 kilometer, occurring during 140 to 160 nights a year, 10 hours per day and up to 280 times per hour. Splashes of lightning are seen in a radius of about 400 kilometers - you can watch them at any point round the lake. But here on the porch of Catatumbo Camp in And who hasn't smiled when they see a rainbow, or even a double rainbow, after a rainstorm? There's an old expression some elderly used to say: "mourning and shrouding from heaven come down." The little saying referred not only to the randomness of life, but something much more lethal: It is calculated that up to 24,000 people die by lightning per year.. We For those people living in a little village called Catatumbo in Venezuela, they can add lightning to that. As the one place on Earth that has the most lightning, Maracabio Lake in Venezuela, is the topic for this weather wise segment. Coming to the photograph in question, it does not show the Catatumbo lightning phenomenon in Venezuela. The region endures more than 160 storm nights a year. lower part of the ozone layer.. where the Catatumbo River flows into Lake Maracaibo. Suspended over the mouth of the Catatumbo River, which locals call the "river of fire," this strobe light brightens night into day. Chris Kotsiopoulos took a 70-shot sequence, with a 20-second exposure for each shot. Lightning scientists, or fulminologists, believe that as cold winds roll seaward off the Andes they collide with warm, wet air climbing out of the decaying marshlands of Lake Maracaibo, the origin of the Catatumbo. The claims are facts with some misinformation explained here. Catatumbo Lightning is an atmospheric phenomenon that causes lightning storms that can last as long as 9 hours per day, with as many as 28 lightning strikes per minute. group of British travellers and I had come to witness the sight with Alan The Catatumbo River set a Guinness Book of World Records for highest number of lightning strikes. The Catatumbo Lightning phenomenon has come a long way from being a supernatural conundrum to a unique meteorological event, one that can nevertheless be explained by certain natural variables and their interactions. However, paradoxically, the first thing that should be known is about another saying that is false, the one that says lightning . Sound strange, but the most thunderstorms Catatumbo River where it empties into Lake Maracaibo basin surrounded Rayo del Catatumbo, former senate candidate for the lightning rod on the porch by far, the The frequency of lightning are beginning to swell about 300 lightning strikes will.. 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