The everlasting storm: Stunning images of unique phenomenon in Venezuela where lightning has raged almost EVERY OTHER NIGHT for thousands of years




Another brilliant blast of light arcs across the night's sky, dramatically illuminating the Catatumbo River below.

This is 'Relámpago del Catatumbo' in a corner of north western Venezuela - otherwise known as 'the everlasting storm'. The unique atmospheric phenomenon generates an estimated 1.2m lightning strikes a year and is visible from almost 250 miles away.

Storm clouds gather in the same spot five-miles above Lake Maracaibo up to 160 nights per year, lasting for about 10 hours at a time.



The 'everlasting storm' rages of the Catatumbo Delta in Venezuela - the phenomenon has continued for thousands of years

The Venezuelan storms generate an estimated 1.2million lightning strikes a year

Storm clouds gather in the same spot five-miles above Lake Maracaibo up to 160 nights per year, lasting for about 10 hours at a time

The lightning strikes over the Catatumbo Delta in Venezuela are visible from almost 250 miles away

There are several theories to explain the continuous storms including high winds which sweep across the lake forming clouds when they meet the Andean mountains. Others link it to the boggy marshes releasing methane gas.

Either way it has become a proud symbol for the people of Venezuela and is referenced in the epic poem 'La Dragontea' by Lope de Vega. It is also credited with scuppering a raid by Francis Drake on the city of Maracaibo in 1595 when lightning betrayed his ships to the Spanish garrison.

The state of Zulia, which encompasses Lake Maracaibo, has a lightning bolt across its centre and refers to the phenomenon in its anthem.

The storm also acts as a natural lighthouse for local fisherman who are able to navigate at night without any problem.



On occasions the phenomenon has stopped for weeks at a time, most recently in 2010. Locals worried it was the result of an extreme drought, which had led to electricity shortages in a country which relies heavily on hydropower.

But after five weeks of silence the cacophony resumed.

The other occasion was in 1906 after a huge earthquake off the coast of Columbia and Ecuador caused a tsunami.



Theories about the cause of the continuous lightning differ, but one explanation is that high winds sweep across the river and form clouds when they meet the Andean mountains

The phenomenon was even witnessed by Sir Francis Drake as he attempted to attack a Spanish colony in 1595

The night's sky is illuminated by another scorching arc of lightning over the Catatumbo Delta

The storm acts as a natural lighthouse for local fisherman who are able to navigate at night without any problem Some scientists consider the everlasting storm to be the single biggest generator of tropospheric ozone on the planet. In these photos the lightning bolts illuminate the sky in a combination of brilliant whites, reds and purples. The difference in the colours of lightning storms is caused partly by the different kinds of atoms in the air.

In dry air it looks white because there are few strong visible rays of light. But if water vapour is present, hydrogen atoms create a strong red line. At night this can appear purple.

The lightning storm has become a proud symbol for the people of Venezuela and is referenced in the epic poem 'La Dragontea' by Lope de Vega

Some scientists consider the everlasting storm to be the single biggest generator of tropospheric ozone on the planet

This dramatic image captures a man's silhouette against the backdrop of a huge fork of lightning reaching the lake

The varying colours of the lightning storm is caused by light refracting through different kinds of atoms in the air







