High upon the hiking trail overlooking Capulin’s volcanic crater, a plastic-lumber bench sits partly busted and melted by a lightning flash. Fortunately, no one was sitting there at the time. The damage has been left alone by park personnel, with nearby interpretive sign using this event to advise of lightning safety on the mountain. Aside from the obvious scar on one of the boards, the underlying loose asphalt and what’s left of concrete on that side are missing material around the metal and concrete footing. That suggests an essentially instantaneous flashover of water to steam as the massive electric current surged through the porous paving material, which partly blew apart as a result. Despite enduring such a trauma, the bench still was safe for sitting. Avoiding placing butt upon board damage is advised, however, lest one risk shorts or trousers getting snagged and torn.
3 NE Capulin NM (28 May 26) Looking NW
36.781, -103.969