välkmägesid

Välkmägesid is a term used in Estonian to describe a specific type of geological formation. It translates roughly to "lightning rocks" or "lightning mountains." These are not mountains in the traditional sense, but rather unusual rock formations that are believed to have been shaped by the intense heat and force of lightning strikes. The process by which these formations are created is known as fulgurites, which are glassy tubes or branching structures formed when lightning strikes sand or rock.

The resulting structures can vary in size and shape, depending on the composition of the material and the intensity of the lightning strike. In Estonia, these välkmägesid are often found in sandy areas or on rocky outcrops. They are characterized by their fused, glassy appearance, often with a hollow core where the lightning's energy channeled through the material. These formations are relatively rare and are considered geological curiosities. They offer a tangible record of past electrical phenomena in the Earth's surface. While their formation is a natural process, the term välkmägesid highlights the dramatic and transformative power of lightning.