>>5420365>StargateThe closest thing that I know of which visually resembles a stargate is the high voltage Z Machine at Sandia. It is used to simulate some nuclear weapons testing.
In case it is not clear what those branching cobweb / fractal tree like strands of fire are in that picture - that is lightning. Or more accurately, Lichtenberg figures. This was one visual reference I had in mind for the Lightning Sea.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z_Pulsed_Power_Facilityhttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichtenberg_figure 