Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

VisualImportance5837 t1_jd4toh3 wrote

Reply to comment by Paperdiego in TIL A coal seam in Australia is believed to have been burning for 6,000 years, making it the oldest coal fire. The site's name is Mount Wingen but is commonly called Burning Mountain and the fire is traveling south 1m per year discoloring the ground as it goes. by jamescookenotthatone

Cracks and crevices in the ground allow air in. Not very much air - the coal is just barely alight, just barely smouldering, like charcoal and a barbeque.

Normally, coal would go out with so little air. However, it's trapped deep underground and the heat can't escape. So, even just smouldering, with the heat being trapped, will keep the fire alight.

10