OS FULGURITOS DE ARACATI, NO ESTADO DO CEARÁ

This work describes the first known occurrence of fulgurites in Ceará coastline found in the Aracati county. Fulgurites are the result of the natural process of the incidence of electrical discharges of lightning on sand, soil and rocks. The product of this process in sand and soil is a new rock with unique recrystallization characteristics of the material exposed to the discharge. In some occurrences around the world, there is a record of vitrification observed with the naked eye, which was not possible in Aracati. Here, the samples collected are representative of two predominant shapes: oblong and cylindrical. The first form presents cohesion of sand grains in the central part of the sample and friability on the crests, without presenting the cavities characteristic of the cylindrical shape. This, in turn, presents differences in density, fragility and color in relation to the oblong shape. These characteristics are very similar to those of the petrified roots described in the municipality of Itarema as rhizoconcretions, however, Prof. Dr. Marcondes Lima da Costa in Aracati, in March 2024, made it possible to investigate the material with a focus on fulgurites.