superbolt

plural superbolts · alternative super bolt · alternative super-bolt

1. rareclimatologyA rare form of lightning where the bolt is much stronger (such as 100x) and lasts much longer (such as 5x) than the usual forms of lightning.

   This low lightning rate is insufficient to affect the global NOx production, however it may cause local enhancement near Japan where most superbolts occur.

   1981, Marta Kowalczyk, Lightning as a source of NOx in the troposphere

   2 more examples

   A typical lightning bolt has an optical power of about 1 billion watts. The superbolt flashes radiate 100 billion to 10 trillion (10¹¹)-(10¹³) watts. They are quite rare.

   1979, Kendrick Frazier, The Violent Face of Nature: Severe Phenomena and Natural Disasters, Morrow, →ISBN, page 97

   In rare cases a positively charged giant 'superbolt' may discharge from the forward (or rear) anvil cloud to the negatively charged ground ahead of (or behind) the thunderstorm base.

   2015, Derek M. Elsom, Lightning: Nature and Culture