The lightning of Catatumbo "weather phenomenon"

Dear readers, in this opportunity I want to socialize with you, about a meteorological phenomenon that appears in the South zone of the Lake of Maracaibo until the basin of the river Catatumbo Venezuela, this phenomenon known in the zone where I live as lightning of the Catatumbo, stands out for having a continuous presence appearing always in the same place, it is an extraordinary experience to be able to observe that beautiful light flash every night in the horizon, it is something that identifies our geographical zone and that has been recognized at world-wide level.

Several attempts have been made to characterize this phenomenon and to know exactly what causes it and where it occurs exactly. All of these investigations have brought forth some hypotheses about the place where it occurs, in that sense Falcon (2000), pointed out that, although there is no consensus about what causes it and the location, it is said that the epicenter is possibly a swampy area of 226.000 hectare On the other hand, the same author points out that the cause of the phenomenon could be the methane gas that is concentrated in the clouds, causing the separation of electrical charges that make possible the observed discharges.

This beautiful lightning, some authors point out that it could be a restorer of the ozone layer and for being a continuous phenomenon, on November 25, 2013 it was granted the Guinness record after being observed during three months by the organization, where a series of studies carried out by scientists and the participation of the Zulia environmentalist Erik Quiroga were endorsed. Without a doubt, it is a pride for the State of Zulia in Venezuela to have such an important natural phenomenon that is recognized worldwide.

The lightning has become a tourist attraction for the region, where many foreigners arrive to observe such a majestic flash, there is a place known as the Congo Mirador with structures made above the water known as palafitos, this place is ideal to observe these flashes at night, where the darkness disappears and shines all over the place observing the ecosystem formed by water, for this reason the Congo Mirador is one of the most beautiful tourist places in the southern area of Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela.

Dear readers, nature is beautiful and shows us its best charms every day. Catatumbo's lightning is one of those beauties that cannot go unnoticed, so we must continue to promote sustainable development in every sector, company, industry and others, so that we can continue to enjoy a healthy environment free of viruses and full of beautiful landscapes. See you later, thanks for staying with me until the end, have a successful year 2021.

Falcón, N. (2000). ON THE ORIGIN AND RECURRENCE OF LIGHTNING OF THE RIVER CATATUMBO. Department of Physics, University of Carabobo.