Earthquake lights were observed in late March 2026 over parts of the Aegean Sea near Turkey and Greece after a series of small tremors. The glowing vertical beams and coloured pillars drew wide attention on social media and raised questions about whether the images were real. Scientists identified the phenomenon as earthquake lights, a rare but documented natural event linked to seismic activity.
What Are Earthquake Lights?
Earthquake lights are unusual flashes, streaks, glows, or pillar-like beams that may appear in the sky before, during, or after an earthquake.
- They can resemble lightning, luminous clouds, or vertical columns.
- They have been reported for centuries, but only rarely.
- Most earthquakes do not produce this effect.
Why They Appear
The exact mechanism is still not fully settled, but the leading explanation involves stress in rocks deep underground.
- Tectonic movement compresses rocks in the crust.
- Rocks containing quartz and certain minerals may generate electric charges under pressure.
- These charges can travel through cracks and faults towards the surface.
How The Light Forms
When the electrical charges reach the surface, they may ionise air molecules.
- This can create glowing plasma, similar to the principle behind neon lights.
- The visible result may be flashes, beams, or steady glows.
- The lights are not caused by fire and do not produce heat in the usual sense.
Scientific Significance
Scientists note that earthquake lights appear more often in areas with straight, vertical faults or rift zones.
- Lab experiments on compressed rocks have produced similar electrical effects.
- The phenomenon remains under study because its full physics is not yet confirmed.
- It is considered a natural seismic indicator, not a supernatural event.