# What forms and powers ball lightning? · Ball lightning > Five answers have been proposed. Lightning vaporises soil silica; silicon nanoparticle networks glow as they slowly oxidise. leads, with evidence 3 for… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/ball-lightning/questions/QST0D40A5FY652V/what-forms-and-powers-ball-lightning Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:56:54+00:00 --- **0** # What forms and powers ball lightning? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·5 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: lightning vaporises soil silica; silicon nanoparticle networks glow as they slowly oxidise** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Five answers have been proposed. Lightning vaporises soil silica; silicon nanoparticle networks glow as they slowly oxidise. leads, with evidence 3 for, 1 against: partly supported by its tests. Four are still possible. Of the two narrower questions under it, none is answered yet. ## Why it matters A ball that glows for seconds needs an energy store or supply; the models differ on what it is and make different predictions about spectra, location and microwave emission⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D409WEW7T5H/ball-lightning-caused-by-oxidation-of-nanoparticle-networks)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D409XE40M7Q/relativistic-microwave-theory-of-ball-lightning)⁠[[3]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D409X6A04XR/long-living-plasmoids-from-an-atmospheric-water-discharge). ## Answers 5 [**Lightning vaporises soil silica; silicon nanoparticle networks glow as they slowly oxidise.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/ball-lightning/answers/ANS0D40A8XA3AZP/lightning-vaporises-soil-silica-silicon-nanoparticle) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 3 for, 1 against Most likely [**A chemically sustained plasmoid formed by a discharge into a wet or mineral surface.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/ball-lightning/answers/ANS0D40AAVT67P7/a-chemically-sustained-plasmoid-formed-by-a-discharge-into-a) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 1 for, 1 against Still possible [**Microwaves generated at the stroke tip are trapped in a self-made plasma bubble.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/ball-lightning/answers/ANS0D40AA4C22YQ/microwaves-generated-at-the-stroke-tip-are-trapped-in-a-self) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 1 for, 1 against Still possible [**New physics, such as dark-matter nuggets or magnetic monopoles.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/ball-lightning/answers/ANS0D40ABK87VDK/new-physics-such-as-dark-matter-nuggets-or-magnetic) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 1 against Disputed [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/ball-lightning/answers/ANS0D40AC2W3T9F/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible ## History 1. 2000[Abrahamson & Dinniss puts forward: lightning vaporises soil silica; silicon nanoparticle networks glow as they slowly oxidise.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D409WEW7T5H/ball-lightning-caused-by-oxidation-of-nanoparticle-networks) 1. 2006[Dikhtyar & Jerby: microwave-heated silicates eject buoyant fireballs, which the authors relate to the silicon model.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D409WYG69CB/fireball-ejection-from-a-molten-hot-spot-to-air-by-localized)For: Lightning vaporises soil silica; silicon nanoparticle networks glow as they slowly oxidise. 1. 2007[Paiva et al.: arc discharges into silicon produce luminous balls lasting seconds.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D409WPP24JY/production-of-ball-lightning-like-luminous-balls-by)For: Lightning vaporises soil silica; silicon nanoparticle networks glow as they slowly oxidise. 1. 2008[Versteegh et al. puts forward: a chemically sustained plasmoid formed by a discharge into a wet or mineral surface.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D409X6A04XR/long-living-plasmoids-from-an-atmospheric-water-discharge) 1. 2008[Versteegh et al.: the laboratory plasmoids live well under a second, shorter than most reports.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D409X6A04XR/long-living-plasmoids-from-an-atmospheric-water-discharge)Against: A chemically sustained plasmoid formed by a discharge into a wet or mineral surface. 1. 2008[Versteegh et al.: water-discharge plasmoids last hundreds of milliseconds and emit mainly CaOH bands.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D409X6A04XR/long-living-plasmoids-from-an-atmospheric-water-discharge)For: A chemically sustained plasmoid formed by a discharge into a wet or mineral surface. 1. 2016[Wu puts forward: microwaves generated at the stroke tip are trapped in a self-made plasma bubble.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D409XE40M7Q/relativistic-microwave-theory-of-ball-lightning) 1. 2016[Wu: balls reported inside aircraft are hard to reconcile with a soil source.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D409XE40M7Q/relativistic-microwave-theory-of-ball-lightning)Against: Lightning vaporises soil silica; silicon nanoparticle networks glow as they slowly oxidise. 1. 2016[Wu: particle simulations reproduce a stable radiation-filled plasma bubble.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D409XE40M7Q/relativistic-microwave-theory-of-ball-lightning)For: Microwaves generated at the stroke tip are trapped in a self-made plasma bubble. 1. 2022[An et al.: the only recorded spectrum is dominated by soil elements.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D409W727DTY/temperature-of-apparent-natural-ball-lightning-obtained-by)Against: Microwaves generated at the stroke tip are trapped in a self-made plasma bubble. 1. 2025[Zhitnitsky puts forward: new physics, such as dark-matter nuggets or magnetic monopoles.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D40A0423Y1J/ball-lightning-as-a-profound-manifestation-of-the-dark) 1. 2025[Zhitnitsky: proposed without an observational test.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D40A0423Y1J/ball-lightning-as-a-profound-manifestation-of-the-dark)Against: New physics, such as dark-matter nuggets or magnetic monopoles. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/ball-lightning/questions/QST0D40A5FY652V/what-forms-and-powers-ball-lightning%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/ball-lightning/questions/QST0D40A5FY652V/what-forms-and-powers-ball-lightning%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/ball-lightning/questions/QST0D40A5FY652V/what-forms-and-powers-ball-lightning%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/ball-lightning/questions/QST0D40A5FY652V/what-forms-and-powers-ball-lightning%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/ball-lightning/questions/QST0D40A5FY652V/what-forms-and-powers-ball-lightning%23add-source) Where it fits Ball lightning **What forms and powers ball lightning?** Key question · you're here [Does ball lightning form at the point where lightning strikes, or in the electric field near storms?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/ball-lightning/questions/QST0D40A5ZJ387Q/does-ball-lightning-form-at-the-point-where-lightning)Most likely · balls form at or near ground strike points [Does the 2012 Qinghai recording show a ball of burning soil vapour?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/ball-lightning/questions/QST0D40A5QR3YCV/does-the-2012-qinghai-recording-show-a-ball-of-burning-soil)Most likely · yes; it was a ball of vaporised soil elements sustained after the stroke [ Ask a question under this one ]