Neat, thanks
this post was submitted on 12 Sep 2025
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Cool, I want more details! How does it get oxygen at a depth of 100 ft? It burns 3 feet per year and has been burning for 6000 years. Assuming that rate has been relatively constant, that adds up to over 3 miles.
Some possible ways are discussed in the main coal seam fire article. I don't know what is happening here in particular, though. I found this to be an interesting read.
As the coal seam fire article mentions, if the seam is permeable enough, it will suck oxygen in through the pores. The fire can also scavenge some oxygen from other compounds present among the coal. Basically, the fire finds a way, if enough activation energy and fuel is there.