Lightning strike survivors show off their incredible markings

A lightning strike can cause series injuries and even death in the space of just milliseconds.

But as these extraordinary images from Bored Panda show, a lucky few escape long-term injuries and are instead left with unique markings known as Lichtenberg figures or ‘lightning flowers’.

While a single bolt is made up of several 100 million volts and has the capacity to inflict permanent organ damage, some victims experience a so-called ‘flashover effect’ where the electricity passes over the surface of a person’s skin.

In such cases, survivors are left with temporary markings described as a ‘fern-like erythema’, which are thought to be the result of ruptured capillaries.

According to the Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS), this occurs when ‘electrons from the lightning are driven into the epidermis and radiate outward from successive points in a fractal pattern of repeated bifurcations’. 

The odds of getting struck by lightning are roughly one in 10 million, according to the BMJ. 

This woman, whose name is unknown, was left with a fern-shaped erythema known as a ‘Lichtenberg figure’, believed to be the result of a lightning strike on the skin. The image is one of a collection of snaps shared on Bored Panda

One man shows off his Lichtenberg figure, which stretches all the way from his neck and shoulders down to his lower back, in a snap shared on Bored Panda. The odds of getting struck by lightning are roughly one in 10 million, according to the British Medical Journal

One man shows off his Lichtenberg figure, which stretches all the way from his neck and shoulders down to his lower back, in a snap shared on Bored Panda. The odds of getting struck by lightning are roughly one in 10 million, according to the British Medical Journal

In some cases, like this unnamed man whose image was shared on Bored Panda, lightning strike survivors are left with unique markings described as 'a fern-like erythema'

In some cases, like this unnamed man whose image was shared on Bored Panda, lightning strike survivors are left with unique markings described as ‘a fern-like erythema’

A painful-looking red marking stretching down the arm of a lightning strike survivor in this photo posted to Bored Panda. A single lightning bolt is made up of several 100 million volts and can cause serious long-term damage

A painful-looking red marking stretching down the arm of a lightning strike survivor in this photo posted to Bored Panda. A single lightning bolt is made up of several 100 million volts and can cause serious long-term damage

One lightning strike survivor removes his shirt to display his Lichtenberg figure marking, the result of a strike, stretching from his lower back up to his neck, in an image shared on Bored Panda

One lightning strike survivor removes his shirt to display his Lichtenberg figure marking, the result of a strike, stretching from his lower back up to his neck, in an image shared on Bored Panda

Lichtenberg figures, like this one on an unnamed man shared on Bored Panda, occur when 'electrons from the lightning are driven into the epidermis and radiate outward from successive points in a fractal pattern of repeated bifurcations'

Lichtenberg figures, like this one on an unnamed man shared on Bored Panda, occur when ‘electrons from the lightning are driven into the epidermis and radiate outward from successive points in a fractal pattern of repeated bifurcations’

As these images from Bored Panda show, a relatively lucky group of lightning strike survivors are left with unique markings known as Lichtenberg figures rather than internal damage

As these images from Bored Panda show, a relatively lucky group of lightning strike survivors are left with unique markings known as Lichtenberg figures rather than internal damage

A fern-like marking, believed to be the result of a lightning strike, is clearly visible on this person's arm. It is one of a series of images shared on Bored Panda this week

A fern-like marking, believed to be the result of a lightning strike, is clearly visible on this person’s arm. It is one of a series of images shared on Bored Panda this week

One lightning bolt survivor shows off their Lichtenberg figure, the result of a 'flashover effect' which occurs when a lightning strike passes over the surface of a person’s skin. The image was shared on Bored Panda

One lightning bolt survivor shows off their Lichtenberg figure, the result of a ‘flashover effect’ which occurs when a lightning strike passes over the surface of a person’s skin. The image was shared on Bored Panda

One man displays a painful-looking purple marking, believed to be the result of a lightning strike, on Bored Panda. According to the Royal Meteorological Society ( RMetS ), this occurs when 'electrons from the lightning are driven into the epidermis'

One man displays a painful-looking purple marking, believed to be the result of a lightning strike, on Bored Panda. According to the Royal Meteorological Society ( RMetS ), this occurs when ‘electrons from the lightning are driven into the epidermis’

A fern-shaped Lichtenberg figure, the result of a bolt of lightning, snakes its way from this man's shoulder across his neck and upper torso. One bolt contains millions of volts, according to an article shared on Bored Panda this week

A fern-shaped Lichtenberg figure, the result of a bolt of lightning, snakes its way from this man’s shoulder across his neck and upper torso. One bolt contains millions of volts, according to an article shared on Bored Panda this week



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