Earth's spectacular and remote 'capital' of lightning

In a remote part of Venezuela the Catatumbo River meets Lake Maracaibo. It's a stunning location, but also home to a unique meteorological phenomenon and a storm chaser's dream - the Catatumbo lightning.

With most experts estimating that lightning strikes occur roughly 140 to 160 nights a year, with flashes often visible seven to 10 hours per night, it's not hard to see why the area is a world record holder.

Video by Rafael Hernandez

Narrator and Executive Producer: Howard Timberlake

6 August 2024