title: Superficial lightning injuries--their "fractal" shape and origin.
abstract: The origin of superficial lightning burns was studied. A recently developed mathematical model was invoked to identify fern-shaped burns as 'so-called' fractals. On the basis of this model and discharge experiments, we conclude that 'fractal burns' are caused by surface discharges of a positive polarity. The recognition of such burns can help to elucidate the type and mechanism of the lightning strike.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008030:Lightning; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D055585:Physical Phenomena; D010825:Physics