Lightning is a beautiful display of nature's power, reaching from the sky to the ground. Only sometimes there are some things in between the sky and the ground... Thanks to modern safety features no major harm is done to anything or anyone, but we do get some great sights thanks to these rare occasions. These beautiful pictures capture that amazing split second where lightning hits some of the best known landmarks in the world: The Vatican |
In 2013 Pope Benedict XVI stunned the world by stepping down from his position, becoming the first Pope to resign in over 600 years. Just a few hours later, a massive lightning bolt struck the basilica of St.Peter's dome. The Bay Bridge - San Francisco |
Big metal structures often get hit by lightning, but in this pictures from 2012, the Bay Bridge in being struck by eight bolts at once!
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Washington Monument – Washington D.C |
It is a little known fact that the massive monument was fitted with an aluminum cap and copper lightning rods during the 1800's. They were placed to protect the giant structure from strikes like this one in 2013. Statue of Liberty – New York |
These lightning strikes make Lady Liberty look absolutely stunning! The Grand Canyon – Arizona |
Even the deserts of Arizona sometimes have stormy weather that can humble even the majestic beauty of the canyon. Empire State Building - New York |
This gigantic lighning bolt from 2002 makes even the mighty building look like a tiny tooth-pick. Burj Khalifa, Dubai |
When you are building the tallest building in the world your practicality begging for lightning strikes… Icelandic Volcano |
In 2010 the Icelandic Volcano Eyjafjallajökull erupted and caused an ash storm that grounded nearly all the planes in Europe. A side effect of that storm was this massive bolt aimed right at the top of the mountain. Mount Rushmore - South Dakota |
Poor George just got a really bad headache…. Brooklyn Bridge - New York |
2008 Was not a good year to be a bridge. Space Needle - Seattle |
"Yes, let's build a giant needle pointed at the sky! What could possibly go wrong?" London Tower Bridge – England |
London Bridge isn’t falling down, it's just getting electrocuted. St. Louis Arch – Missouri |
In 2013 a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Royals was delayed mid-way through the game for four hours due to rain. The game ended at 3AM and this was probably the most exciting part of it. Christ the Redeemer Statue - Rio de Janeiro |
No words are needed to describe this picture, its beautiful just the way it is. |
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