Catatumbo Lightning is a rare and powerful natural phenomenon that occurs over the Catatumbo River in northwestern Venezuela, primarily where the river meets Lake Maracaibo. It’s known for producing near-continuous lightning storms, often called “the everlasting storm.”

Here’s what makes it unique:

Frequency: Lightning strikes occur up to 160 nights a year, lasting 10 hours a night, with as many as 28 lightning flashes per minute.

Cause: The phenomenon is fueled by a perfect mix of topography and climate—warm, moist air from the Caribbean collides with cold mountain air from the Andes, creating strong convection currents.

Silent Thunder: Much of the lightning is cloud-to-cloud and high in the atmosphere, which is why it’s often seen but not heard far away.

Global Impact: Catatumbo Lightning is a major generator of ozone and helps clean the atmosphere by converting oxygen into ozone.

It’s a natural marvel that’s both visually spectacular and scientifically significant—so unique that it’s been studied as one of the most consistent and intense lightning zones on Earth.

Source:https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/news/feature-articles/maracaibo-beacon