LIGHTNING IMPACT ON ANIMALS

Subject : Science & tech

Context : Recently, 18 elephants died on a hilltop in Assam and the preliminary post-mortem report indicates they had been struck by lightning.

Concept :

How does lightning kill animals?

When current flows through the ground following a lightning strike, the electric potential (voltage) is highest at the point of the strike, and decreases with distance along the direction of the flow.
If an elephant is facing the strike point, the current will flow from the front feet (higher potential) to the hind feet (lower potential), electrocuting it in the process.
Direct Flash: An animal in an open field may be struck directly by lightning if part of its body protrudes over other objects in the vicinity.
The taller animals are more vulnerable.
Side Flash: When lightning strikes a tall object such as a tree, it may generate a side flash that can strike an animal standing underneath the tree.
Touch Potential: If one part of a tall animal’s body is in contact with the ground while another part, at a higher elevation, comes in contact with a lightning-struck object, a partial current may pass through its body.
Step Potential: The most common lightning hazard among four-legged animals.
When an animal’s front and hind feet are far enough apart, a partial current may pass through the body in certain circumstances.