Lightning Catatumbo

Lightning Catacumbo is a natural phenomenon that occurs over the confluence of the Catatumbo River into Lake Maracaibo (this is the largest salt lake in Venezuela). The phenomenon is expressed in the appearance of a glow at an altitude of about five kilometers without accompanying acoustic effects. Lightning occurs at night (140-160 times a year), the discharges last about 10 hours. Lightning flashes up to 280 times per hour. This adds up to about 1.2 million discharges per year. Lightning can be seen from a distance of up to 400 kilometers. For many centuries, lightning has been an excellent beacon for ships entering the waters of Lake Maracaibo. They were even given the appropriate name - "Maracaibo lighthouse"