Unexpected Avalanche Captured by Photographer

This is a China news story, published by MSN, that relates primarily to Li news.

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mysterious blue lights

ZME Science

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Mysterious eerie blue lights erupt during avalanche — and no one is sure why

Summary

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79% Informative

Astronomer Shengyu Li captured a rare phenomenon in China 's Sichuan mountains.

The rare phenomenon is caused by a phenomenon known as triboluminescence.

The phenomenon occurs when certain materials emit light as they are fractured, scratched, or rubbed.

In the case of avalanches, the intense fragmentation and collision of ice could explain the blue flashes.

Li and others hope that further research, or even more accidental recordings, might shed light — quite literally — on this extraordinary natural event. This story originally appeared on ZME Science . Want to get smarter every day ? Subscribe to our newsletter and stay ahead with the latest science news..

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informal

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English

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not hateful