Although the concentration of the ozone in the ozone layer is very small, it is vitally important to life because it absorbs biologically harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation coming from the sun. Extremely short or vacuum UV (10â100 nm) is screened out by nitrogen.
Lightning strikes reach the ground on Earth as much as 8 million times per day or 100 times per second, according to the National Severe Storms Laboratory. Out of all the lightning strikes in the world, the United States accounts for about 20 million of the total number of lightning strikes each year. Continue Reading.
For example, approximately 30% of persons struck by lightning die, and 74% of lightning strike survivors have permanent disabilities. In addition, persons with cranial burns or leg burns from lightning are at higher risk for death than others struck by lightning (6). Sixty-three percent of lightning-associated deaths occur within 1 hour of injury (1), 92% occur during May-September, and 73% occur during the afternoon and early evening. Of persons who died from lightning strikes, 52% were engaged in outdoor recreational activities, and 25% were engaged in work activities (2).