Rare but deadly natural phenomena: a fascinating look at the extraordinary forces of the Earth

Nature is an accomplished artist, painting our world with stunning landscapes and amazing phenomena. While many natural events are beautiful and benign, some remain shrouded in mystery and danger. In this article, we delve into rare and deadly natural phenomena that challenge our understanding of the world. From firestorms to strange underwater events, these events remind us of the power and unpredictability of our planet.

1. Anvil of clouds and lightning

Oak clouds, also known as cumulus anvil clouds, are huge storm clouds with flat anvil-shaped peaks. These towering formations can produce powerful lightning strikes that pose a serious threat to anyone who falls in their path. The electrical discharge caused by these clouds can be fatal, making it a rare but dangerous phenomenon.

An anvil cloud is formed when the cumulus cloud reaches the level of stratospheric stability and forms a flat anvil-shaped top. It indicates a thunderstorm in its mature stage, succeeding the cumulus phase. These clouds are usually associated with extreme weather, including heavy rain, downward eruptions, and sometimes hurricanes.

2. Morning Glory Clouds

Imagine waking up to a rolling tube-shaped cloud that runs across the sky. This is the morning glory cloud, a rare weather phenomenon observed in northern Australia. These long clouds move quickly, creating a mesmerizing display. Although they are not directly harmful, their unexpected movements can surprise pilots and disrupt air travel.

Morning glory clouds can stretch up to 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) and move at speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour (37 miles per hour). They are formed as a result of certain climatic conditions, including low temperature, high pressure, and a strong sea breeze. The exact mechanism behind its formation remains unclear, but it continues to attract the attention of observers.

3. Red rain

In India and Sri Lanka, residents sometimes experience red rain. This unusual precipitation occurs when dust particles or algae stain raindrops, giving them a reddish color. Although Red Rain is not directly deadly, it serves as a reminder of the planet's complex and sometimes bizarre processes.

The phenomenon of red rain occurred in Kerala in the Wayanad district, Malabar, on July 15, 1957, and again from July 25 to September 23, 2001. The heavy red-colored rains puzzled scientists and aroused their curiosity. While the exact cause is still debated, some theories suggest that the aerobic spores of the microalgae Trentepohlia annulata contribute to this phenomenon.

4. Foamy tides

When seawater mixes with organic and inorganic molecules, it can create a foamy tide. These foam waves crash into the beaches, captivating beachgoers. Although not deadly per se, they can carry pollutants and harmful substances, affecting marine ecosystems and human health.

Foamy tide is caused by various factors, including wind patterns, wave movement, and the presence of organic matter. Foam is produced by the reaction of dissolved organic compounds with air and water turbulence. Although their appearance is not rare, they can be eye-catching and interesting.

5. Apple ghost

In colder climates, frozen apples can sometimes thaw and leak, leaving behind thin ice crusts known as ghost apples. These transparent residues stick to tree branches, resembling ethereal fruit. Although not directly harmful, it serves as a testament to the delicate balance between temperature, water and the ingenuity of nature.

The ghost apple phenomenon in Michigan occurred due to the freezing of the rotting apple layer due to rain. When Andrew Setsma pruned the apple trees, the soft interiors slipped, leaving behind the cryosphere. These "Jonaghosts" have captured attention and gone viral on social media.

6. Lightning Catatumbo

Over Venezuela's Catatumbo River, a constant thunderstorm rages on. This phenomenon, known as catatombo lightning, occurs almost every night and produces a startling display of electrical discharges. Although extreme lightning is not fatal in itself, it can pose risks to people in the vicinity.

Catatumbo lightning results from the confluence of warm, moist air from Lake Maracaibo and cold air from the Andes. Geography and unique weather conditions create a constant lightning show, earning it the nickname "Eternal Storm

7. Jellyfish lightning (red goblins)

Jellyfish lightning, also known as red goblins, is a captivating weather phenomenon that occurs over thunderstorms. These elusive events appear in the form of red or pink flashes and are rarely visible from the ground. Red goblins have a jellyfish-like shape, with tendrils reaching down and a larger halo-like structure at the top. They usually appear directly above large thunderstorm systems or cumulus clouds. The reddish-orange color of the red orcs turns bluish at low altitudes. Red goblins result from the complex interaction between thunderstorm activity and the Earth's upper atmosphere. When a powerful lightning strike occurs, it creates an electrical imbalance between the thunderstorm and the ionosphere (the highest atmospheric layer on Earth). Strong electric fields accelerate electrons to high energies, causing them to collide with nitrogen molecules in the atmosphere. The excited nitrogen molecules emit light, resulting in a charming display of the red object.

8. Snow cakes

Ice cake, also known as snowballs, is a rare atmospheric phenomenon that occurs when cylindrical snowballs form naturally. A relatively thin surface layer of loose wet snow is needed. Beneath this layer, there should be a substrate (such as ice or crushed ice) to which wet ice does not stick. The wind or gravity must be strong enough to move the snowballs without blowing them up. Snowballs are more common in mountainous areas, where steep slopes make them easier to move.

9. Sun dogs

Sun dogs, also called parhelia, are another fascinating weather phenomenon. Sun dogs appear as bright spots of light on both sides of the sun. They often surround the sun within a halo of 22 degrees. Sun dogs create a dazzling sight when the sun is low on the horizon. They are caused by the refraction of sunlight by ice crystals in the atmosphere. They are part of the family of halos resulting from this refraction. Look for them in the Northern Hemisphere as the sun drops in the sky.

10. Lenticular clouds

Lenticular clouds are fixed lens-shaped or almond-shaped clouds that form around mountains, hills, and buildings. When moist air is pushed upward above a high geographic feature (such as a mountain or volcano), lenticular clouds can form. As the air cools and the water moisture condenses, these clouds take on their distinctive curved and stratified shapes. Lenticular clouds often appear to be above or hanging from mountain peaks, earning them nicknames such as "cover clouds" or "UFO clouds." Lenticular clouds remain relatively immobile despite strong horizontal winds. They form around the peak of an air wave and disintegrate shortly after that point. Researchers use lenticular clouds to study gravitational waves, which are often invisible to the naked eye.