The ordinary lightning that the public encounters day-to-day is limited in size, duration, and intensity.  This is why lightning safety guidance such as “when thunder roars, go indoors” is effective. However, every so often, lightning behaves in ways that we do not expect. Lightning “megaflashes” stretch horizontally over hundreds of kilometers, striking over the horizon from the thunderstorm core.  Lightning “superbolts” are extraordinarily energetic, often with long continuing currents, posing a greater risk of damage. Other types of extreme lightning escape the top of the cloud or produce such high flash rates that we cannot reliably differentiate one flash form another in our measurements. These distinct types of extreme lightning, their significance for the broader Earth system, and the hazards they pose for the general public will be discussed.

*Refreshments: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM (Atrium)