What is a flashbulb memory?

Flashbulb memories are extremely detailed and vivd recollections of a particularly memoriable or extraordinary event. Brown and Kulik suggested that the emotion we feel during these extordinary events activate a different way of encoding which leaves a more permanent and resilient memory trace. These special memories are different to the information we store in our brain everyday, due to being so precise and lasting a lifetime. The memories are extremely detailed, for example a person witnessing a robbery may be able to give police exact information about the criminals appearance, facial features, license plate, accent, clothing, location etc.