Strange things are expected when a coastline is known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” and this includes the mysterious orbs seen pulsating at night over utility poles in eastern North Carolina.
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It happens in places like Surf City, about 130-miles southeast of Raleigh, and the phenomenon is known to spook tourists, the Surf City Fire Department noted in a July 17 Facebook post.
“One of the more common calls our department receives, especially during the summer months, is for power poles that appear to be sparking or glowing at night,” the department says. “In many cases, this is a normal occurrence.”
It’s also not unique to Surf City. The same phenomenon occurs at other coastal communities, where utility poles stand in the path of an ocean breeze, experts say.
So what’s causing it?
“Salt from the ocean can build up on power line insulators. When even a small amount of moisture is present — such as from humidity, dew, or sea mist — it can cause a visible electrical arc or small flashes of light,” the fire department says.
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“This is known as salt contamination arcing. While it may look alarming, these small flashes are typically not an emergency and often continue until the salt buildup burns off or is washed away by rain.”
The sparking has been known to last “for hours or even days, depending on the weather,” according to the coastal utility company Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Corporation.
While it is “nothing to fear,” that doesn’t make it safe, experts say.
“Never attempt to investigate it yourself,” Surf City officials said.
This story was originally published July 20, 2026 at 10:12 AM with the headline “Eerie ‘glowing’ seen at night above utility poles on NC coast. What’s behind it?.”
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