One common way in which lechatelierite forms naturally is by very-high-temperature melting of quartz sand during a lightning strike.

The result is an irregular, branching, often foamy hollow tube of silica glass called a fulgurite.

Lechatelierite also forms as the result of high pressure shock metamorphism during meteorite impact cratering and is a common component of a type of glassy ejecta called tektites.

[4] Lechatelierite was formed during the impact of a meteorite into a layer of Coconino Sandstone at Meteor Crater in Arizona.

During the rapid pressure reduction following the impact, steam expanded the newly formed lechatelierite.