A local rock hound hopes a piece of Edmonton history will help spark curiosity in science. “It’s kind of a special situation because the concrete has [sand], which is easily converted to glass,” Thompson told CTV News Edmonton on Tuesday. “When that happens, you’re able to get these crazy patterns of glass, different colours and shades, and this all happens in a millisecond.” Fulgurite is the scientific name for the formations created by lightning striking sand or soil. While Thompson has come across these formations before, he said this one is more unusual than most. That’s because lightning is more likely to hit buildings or nearby trees than the ground. “This is exceptionally rare that this would actually happen in a major populated city, and that it would actually hit a piece of concrete that would give it enough of the materials to do this,” Thompson said. “We got the right materials in it that made it perfect to preserve it.” After learning of the lightning strike in Athlone, Thompson contacted the city to ask if he could collect it. He said his local city councillor helped him connect with a repair crew and salvage the thunderstruck section. “It’s amazing that we were able to preserve some of this,” Thompson said. “This is a great piece of tangible history that’s happened here in Edmonton.” The Thompson Meteorite Collection privately collects meteorites from around the world and passes them on to University of Alberta scientists. Thompson said he will also act as a middle man with the new urban fulgurite. After the pieces are stabilized for display, he said he would like to see them go to a local library and, ultimately, to the Telus World of Science Edmonton. “Seeing things up close is what inspires people to really get into the sciences,” he added. “Be it meteorites, be it fulgurites with this lightning – I think it just needs to be seen and I’m so happy that I’ve been able to possess it.” With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Noah Rishaug
