Lightning-Beautiful Yet Deadly

When mother nature is mad this is what it looks like. I can totally relate to how the old Vikings had a God (Thor) for this incredible phenomenon. Yet again, the photographer Mike Hollingshead provides us with insane photographs.
From the discharge of atmospheric electricity (lightning), a leader of a bolt of lightning can travel at speeds of 220,000 km/h (140,000 mph), and can reach temperatures approaching 30,000 °C (54,000 °F).
How lightning initially forms is still a matter of debate. Scientists have studied root causes ranging from atmospheric perturbations (wind, humidity, friction, and atmospheric pressure) to the impact of solar wind and accumulation of charged solar particles.
The irrational fear of lightning (and thunder) is astraphobia.