---
title: "What causes the sound of thunder during a storm?"  
description: "What causes the sound of thunder during a storm?"  
author: "Erick Wilsom"  
published: 2023-10-19  
updated: 2023-10-19  
canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/103914/what-causes-the-sound-of-thunder-during-a-storm  
category: "science"  
tags: ["science"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# What causes the sound of thunder during a storm?



## Answers

### Answer by Kshitij Agrawal

Thunder is caused by the rapid [expansion](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/35156/this-famous-arch-contains-the-name-of-the-city-it-is-located-in-and-is-also-known-as-the-jefferson-national-expansion-memorial-in-which-city-is-this-monument-located) of the air surrounding the [path](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/44333/4-expert-tips-on-how-to-pick-the-right-career-path) of a lightning bolt. **Immediately after the flash, the air cools and contracts quickly**. This rapid expansion and contraction creates the [sound](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/story/4985/the-secret-behind-the-sound-energy-in-conch-shells-shankh) wave that we hear as thunder.


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Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/103914/what-causes-the-sound-of-thunder-during-a-storm

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