Video here.

From what I read 35 years ago some engineers found an underground chamber full of gas so they ignited it so no poisonous gas would escape. It’s been burning ever since.

Looks like the chamber is now exposed so it’s a massive hole in the ground filled with fire.

Well, there’s also a town here in the US where there’s been a massive coal fire burning underground for decades, resulting in the evacuation of the town, etc..

Ah, yeah, here we go: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centralia,_Pennsylvania

Fun stuff - big smoking cracks in the ground, etc.

So yeah, next time you hear someone bragging about how much they’ve reduced their carbon fotprint by only showering on alternate Thursdays or something? Tell them that there’s a giant coal fire that’s likely been running since before they were born, pumping out more CO2 than they could ever possibly hope to accomplish in their lifetime, and will continue to do so for another 250 years…

That along with the several hundreds/thousands of volcanoes pumping out noxious gases into the environment. Man has nothing on the force of nature.

Mr R - 27 January 2012 12:45 AM

That along with the several hundreds/thousands of volcanoes pumping out noxious gases into the environment. Man has nothing on the force of nature.

Or even one decent foreset fire. To be fair, CFCs are a nasty deal, and it’s a good thing they’re dealt with, but that’s getting off topic.