It is monsoon season here at White Sands National Park. We have been experiencing a lot of lightning in the basin lately. Another structure you can find in the dune field is Fulgurite. These structures form when lightning strikes the sand, heating it and changing the form of the properties of the sand. Unlike common fulgurites made from quartz, gypsum fulgurites do not have a glass property. Bound sand from plant roots can be mistaken for fulgurite. However, if you put a black light on the root-bound structures, the roots will glow. This is an easy way you can distinguish fulgurite from root structures here in the park. Remember, #leavenotrace and take only pictures of fulgurite that you find.

When looking for fulgurite in the park, always pay attention to the weather and be lightning safe. You can find more information about visiting White Sands safely at our park website. https://www.nps.gov/whsa/planyourvisit/safety.htm