Coal seam fire

An underground fire occurring in a coal seam

Template:Infobox fire

A coal seam fire is a type of underground fire that occurs in a coal seam, which is a layer of coal that lies beneath the earth's surface. These fires can burn for decades or even centuries, and they are notoriously difficult to extinguish. Coal seam fires can occur naturally or be ignited by human activities, such as mining.

Causes

Coal seam fires can be ignited by a variety of natural and human-induced causes. Natural causes include lightning strikes, spontaneous combustion, and forest fires that spread to coal seams. Human activities, such as mining operations, can also trigger coal seam fires by exposing coal to oxygen, which can lead to combustion.

Effects

Coal seam fires have significant environmental, economic, and health impacts. They release large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. The fires can also cause land subsidence, which can damage infrastructure and alter landscapes. Additionally, the smoke and gases emitted by coal seam fires can pose serious health risks to nearby populations.

Notable Examples

One of the most famous coal seam fires is the Centralia mine fire in Pennsylvania, USA, which has been burning since 1962. Another well-known example is the Burning Mountain in Australia, which is believed to have been burning for over 6,000 years.

Prevention and Mitigation

Preventing coal seam fires involves careful management of mining activities and monitoring of coal seams for signs of combustion. Mitigation efforts can include isolating the fire by creating barriers, injecting inert gases to suffocate the fire, or flooding the area with water. However, these methods can be costly and are not always successful.

Also see

• Centralia mine fire
• Burning Mountain
• Spontaneous combustion
• Underground mining
• Climate change