Never-Ending Lightning Phenomenon Lights up the Sky for 300 Nights a Year at Venezuela's Catatumbo River

The atmosphere is truly 'electrifying' for people at the intersection of the Catatumbo River and Lake Maracaibo. This unique spot in Venezuela, for 140 to 160 days is a site of constant lightning, Atlas Obscura reported. The pace of thunders is so intense in the area, that as many as 280 strikes have been recorded per hour in the past. Locals have named the phenomenon "Relámpago del Catatumbo," which in Spanish means lightning. 

Venezuelans cannot remember exactly when this lightning event started, Atlas Obscura reported. The phenomenon has brought them a lot of attention over the years, with the Guinness Book of World Records labeling the area as the most electric place on Earth. 

The lightning strikes at the place are relentless when they start happening and hence have garnered the moniker of "the everlasting storm" worldwide, Daily Mail reported. The phenomenon produces 1.2 million strikes in a year, many of which are so illuminating that they are visible even from a distance of 250 miles. 

Experts have noted that storm clouds come together at a particular spot above Lake Maracaibo for around 160 nights a year, Daily Mail reported. The thunders produced by these particular clouds often last for 10 hours at a time.

Scholars are yet to understand the reason behind the "Relámpago del Catatumbo" phenomenon. Some believe it could be because of the high winds sweeping across the lake, while others also consider boggy marshes releasing methane gas as a factor.

Venezuelans have incorporated "Relámpago del Catatumbo," into their culture. The state of Zulia which encompasses Lake Maracaibo has a lightning bolt on its logo and mentions the event in their anthem. 

The event is a part of many popular Venezuelan creations like the epic poem 'La Dragontea' by Lope de Vega, Daily Mail reported. The locals also credit the event as the reason behind the failure of Francis Drake's raid on the city of Maracaibo. The lightning allegedly gave away the ship's location to authorities, and in the process protected the city from huge losses. The storm over the years has become a natural lighthouse for fishermen, who use it to guide themselves through the water.