This Mountain Has Been Burning For Over 6000 Years

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#newsouthwales #australia #mountains
Burning Mountain in New South Wales, Australia, is one of the most fascinating and enduring geological wonders on the planet. Hidden beneath an unassuming hill lies a fire that has been burning for at least 6,000 years, fueled by an underground coal seam. Unlike volcanic eruptions or surface wildfires, this slow-burning inferno moves at an incredibly gradual pace—approximately one meter per year—reshaping the landscape in ways both subtle and profound. This video delves deep into the science, history, and geological processes behind this extraordinary natural phenomenon, uncovering the secrets of an ancient fire that refuses to die.

Located near the town of Wingen in the Upper Hunter Valley, Burning Mountain is the result of a naturally ignited coal seam fire, one of the longest-burning and most studied of its kind in the world. Throughout this video, we explore how this subterranean blaze began, with theories ranging from spontaneous combustion due to oxidation of iron pyrite within the coal to ignition by lightning or ancient wildfires that reached the exposed coal seams at the surface. Once ignited, the fire spread underground, consuming coal deposits as it moved deeper into the mountain. Over thousands of years, the slow but persistent combustion has created a path of destruction, leaving behind collapsed earth, altered rock formations, and barren patches of soil where vegetation can no longer grow due to extreme heat and toxic gas emissions.

One of the most striking features of Burning Mountain is its impact on the landscape. The fire's movement beneath the surface causes subsidence, forming deep cracks and fissures that release wisps of steam and sulfurous smoke into the air. The heat alters the surrounding rocks, turning clay into a hardened, brick-like material and staining the soil in shades of red and yellow. Areas above the burning coal seam are devoid of plant life, while the surrounding bushland remains lush and untouched, creating a stark contrast that highlights the fire’s slow but relentless progression. Scientists have observed how the extreme temperatures metamorphose minerals within the rock, further proving the long-term geological impact of this phenomenon.

Unlike human-caused mine fires such as the infamous Centralia fire in Pennsylvania, Burning Mountain is entirely natural, having burned for millennia without interference. The fire’s slow movement means that the landscape is constantly changing, with new fissures forming as older areas cool and solidify. This ongoing transformation has made Burning Mountain a site of great scientific interest, as researchers continue to study how underground coal fires behave and what factors contribute to their longevity. The presence of gases such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide in the escaping steam further indicates the intensity of combustion occurring beneath the surface, offering a glimpse into a process that has been shaping this land long before recorded history.

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OzGeology is an Australian-based YouTube channel that specializes in creating high-quality documentaries on Earth sciences and natural disasters. The content is designed to be easy to digest and covers a wide range of topics, not only focusing on geology but occasionally exploring other scientific areas as well.