The unspeakable threat from the immortal fire of 6,000 years of smoldering does not turn off

On Earth, there are still hours of fire, every day silently burning for hundreds, even thousands of years without turning off. They are called "immortal flames".

No mystery like a small fire Chestnut Ridge Park is burning fire (despite it in the heart of the waterfall called Eternal Flame in Chestnut Ridge Park, New York, USA), a huge fire near the small village of Wingen, state New South Wales, Australia has been decoded by science. However, it is worth mentioning that, this fire has smoldered 6000 years of fire without any sign of stopping!

The 6000 year fire does not turn off

The fire silently burned for thousands of years.(Illustration).

We all know that coal seams are very popular on Earth, it is estimated that there are about 1,000 underground fires silently burning with this fossil fuel source. In particular, they are very popular in coal-rich countries.

But these fires are mostly burned for a few days or at most a few months. However, there are silently burning fires in the world for thousands of years!

That's the fire called Mount Wingen .

Located about 224 km north of Sydney, Mount Wingen is also known as Burning Mountain . The reason for this name is because right in the ground of Wingen village there is a burning coal seam running along a mountain.

Each year, this coal seam nourishes the fire for Mount Wingen and slowly moves down along the mountain at a rate of 1 meter per year. The burning process caused the soil color to be uneven in this area.

Because of the underground fire, the soil color in this area is uneven.(Photo: Wikipedia).

Threatening for the future: "The wilderness scenario" recurs?

This underground fire exists at a depth of about 30 meters below the ground. Scientists estimate it has burned 6,000 years, so Mount Wingen flame is considered the oldest coal fire on Earth.

Scientists fear, since appearing 6000 years ago, the fire has moved 6km. At this rate, the fire will "attack" the Sydney suburbs for about 255,000 years.

Previously, explorers and Europeans who settled in the area believed that smoke appeared on the top of the mountain, indicating that the volcano was about to wake up. It was not until 1829 that Reverend CPN geologist Wilton identified it as a fire from underground coal.

Because Mount Wingen is the oldest coal fire on Earth, it is invisible to attract international visitors. They came to witness for themselves the fire that burned underground for 6000 years and looked at the toxic sulfur smoke rising from the fire.

The toxic sulfur smoke rises from the underground fire.(Photo: Gizmodo).

In the world, it is not uncommon for areas with underground coal fire to endanger people as well as plants and animals. It is as simple as in Centralia, in the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, East of the United States.

Listed as one of the most dangerous areas on the planet (read the series here) because of the fire of burning coal beneath it spread more and more, with the hottest heat reaching 540 degrees C, with toxic gas CO, sulfur . like dead clouds covering everything.

After an accident caused by humans in May 1962, so far, the underground fire still kept burning. Scientists say, Centralia has enough coal to smolder for 250 years!

Currently, the town of Centralia is like a "ghost town" because thousands of people have been forced to permanently evacuate, yes, only about 10 people are still here.

The poison erupted from the fire in Centralia.

Therefore, scientists are concerned, the "devastating scenario" in Centralia will recur with the Sydney area - "The Heart of New South Wales" , even though the dangerous story is unlikely to happen overnight. .