The thunder is the sound of lightning. Depending on the distance to the lightning and its nature, it can range from a sharp, strong crack to a long, low rumble (brontide). The sudden rise in lightning pressure and temperature causes the air to expand rapidly in and around the lightning path. In turn, this expansion of air creates a sound shock wave, often referred to as “thunderclap” or “peal of thunder”. Thunderstorm research is known as brontology.

• The intense heat from the lightning forces the ambient air to expand rapidly and creates a sound wave that you hear as thunder.
• The sound of thunder can be anything from a loud crack to a quiet rumble.
• The closer you are, the shorter the gap between lightning and thunder.
• The thunder is hard to hear over 12 miles (20 kilometers) away.
• Thousands of years ago, philosophers like Aristotle believed that thunder was caused by a collision of clouds.

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