A radiant glow in the heart of an avalanche: scientists have detected an unusual light flare in the mountains.

On October 27, astrophotographer Shengyu Li captured the moment when a chunk of ice broke off, triggering a small avalanche. Amidst cascades of ice and snow, a blue light suddenly ignited—an occurrence that has few documented precedents. "We did not find any previously documented cases of such an event, which makes this discovery both exciting and intriguing," Li shared. This event coincides with a similar phenomenon recorded by Lu Miao at Muztagh Ata a few weeks earlier, prompting experts to investigate possible causes, reports Spaceweather.

The prevailing hypothesis attributes the blue glow to triboluminescence—a phenomenon where light is produced as a result of mechanical stress, such as friction. This effect is often observed in simpler forms, like sparks when crushing Wint-O-Green Life Savers, but the exact mechanism in natural conditions remains largely speculative. Triboluminescence involves the emission of light due to the breaking of bonds within stressed materials, leading to another variant known as fractoluminescence, which pertains to cracks. This natural light emission is typically cold, unlike the thermal glow of fire or incandescent bulbs.

All signs point to an additional explanation: electromagnetic emissions associated with cracks in the ice. According to scientific documents, these emissions are caused by the release of internal electric fields within the ice as cracks propagate. These fields arise from the uneven concentration of ions in the ice, generating electric charges. As the cracks rapidly expand, they create a significant potential difference between surfaces, which may explain the bright light manifestations. Despite their rarity, such phenomena highlight the complex interplay of natural forces at high altitudes.

Although triboluminescence has not been fully studied, its potential connection to avalanches is very important. Historical records indicate that various materials, including quartz and even certain types of sugar, exhibit this effect under stress. This discovery in natural conditions, particularly in extreme environments like the Himalayas, offers a new perspective on avalanche research and atmospheric studies.