how does lightning work? I've seen videos of people being struck like 5 times and they are fine with some scars and minor nerve trauma. What causes that person to be ok, but 300 reindeer just die?

[–] AlsaValderaan@lemmy.blahaj.zone 19 points 2 days ago (1 children)

You get a circular voltage gradient away from the strike spot. A human with their two legs doesn't spread along that as far as a deer's four legs do, so they catch more voltage drop across that, which also runs through their body (along their heart etc). It just depends a lot on how and where a body is affected by electricity.

[–] TriflingToad@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

that's a good explanation thank you

[–] Dasus@lemmy.world 10 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Also, when the lighting struck, it was probably not from a clear sky. And reindeer can huddle. So if they're all pretty much already touching each other...

Or even if they're not huddled, they have a sort of defense mechanism where they just running in circles when threatened.

https://www.livescience.com/64778-vikings-reindeer-cyclone.html

So I imagine a thunderstorm might elicit that response. It's just a guess though.

[–] Whats_your_reasoning@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I just keep watching this. It’s fascinating to see how the “eye” of the herd forms, strengthens, and moves. The individual actions of dozens, if not hundreds, of reindeer coalesce into the same pattern as a hurricane… Fucking beautiful. Thank you for sharing this.

[–] Dasus@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago

You're welcome.

Ever seen murmurations?