Podcast Summary
The Longest Burning Fires on Earth: The Smoking Hills in Canada and Mount Wingen in Australia are two natural wonders with the oldest continuously burning fires, believed to have been burning for at least 100 and thousands of years respectively, with evidence suggesting they could be even older.
The oldest continuously burning fire on earth, a question that may never be definitively answered, is believed to be the Smoking Hills in the Northwest Territories of Canada, which have been burning for at least 100 years, though some evidence suggests it could be 1000 years old. However, the title of the longest burning fire on earth may go to Mount Wingen, or the Burning Mountain, in Australia, where a section of the mountain has been burning for centuries, as evidenced by early written records and the stark contrast between the burned and unburned areas. The fire at the Burning Mountain is believed to be fueled by a natural gas leak and has been burning for thousands of years, making it a fascinating natural wonder.
Not a Volcano, But a Burned Area: Burning Mountain in Australia is not a volcano, but a burned area with deep cracks emitting sulfurous fumes and vapors.
Burning Mountain in Australia is not a volcano as once believed, but rather a burned area on the surface of the mountain producing sulfurous fumes from deep cracks or chasms in the earth. Reverend Charles Wilton's investigation in the late 1800s revealed that the mountain did not have a crater or caldera, but instead, the rock was torn apart, leaving chasms of various widths. Wilton described the intense heat and sulfurous vapors emanating from the depths, comparing it to the Forge of Vulcan. The constant belching out of smoke and sulfurous vapor, along with the presence of crystal efflorescence, adds to the strange and intriguing environment. Despite its unusual appearance, it's important to remember that this is not a volcanic vision but a unique and subtle natural phenomenon.
Burning Mountain of Australia: Not a Volcano: The Burning Mountain of Australia is not a volcano but a coal seam fire, with coal seams burning deep within the mountain. Its unique characteristics and the ongoing debate about its origins highlight the complexity of natural phenomena.
The Burning Mountain of Australia, as described by Wilton, does not fit the exact definition of a volcano. Instead, it is now known to be a coal seam fire, with coal seams burning or smoldering deep within the mountain. Wilton made several observations that contradicted the interpretation of the mountain as a volcano, including the absence of lava, trachite, and coal at the site itself. However, the region around the mountain was rich in coal. Wilton also noted an odd contrast, with a refreshing spring of water located on the other side of the burning mountain. The cause of the initial ignition remains a mystery, with theories including lightning strikes, natural brush fires, spontaneous ignition, or human activity. The mountain's unique characteristics and the ongoing debate about its origins demonstrate the complex and varied ways that natural phenomena can be interpreted.
Oldest Continuous Coal Fire in Australia: The Burning Mountain Coal Fire in Australia, a 6000-year-old continuous fire, burns slowly due to its depth and limited oxygen supply, making it comparable to a low-oxygen grill fire.
The Burning Mountain Coal Fire in Australia, which is believed to be the oldest continuous fire on Earth, has been burning for thousands of years due to its depth and limited oxygen supply. Early reports of the fire may have been mistaken for volcanic activity due to the presence of lights and glowing flames, but these appearances can change over time depending on the coal's proximity to the surface. The fire is estimated to be burning at a rate of roughly 1 meter per year, and its movement can be traced through geological markers, indicating an age of approximately 6000 years. However, some sources claim the fire could be much older, potentially over 100,000 years old, but the methodology behind these claims is unclear. The fire's slow burning is due to its depth and limited oxygen supply, which is compared to a low-oxygen grill fire. The coal burns slowly and lasts longer because it has very little access to oxygen.
Oldest naturally fueled fire in Australia: Burning Mountain: The Burning Mountain in Australia is an ancient coal seam fire, significant in Aboriginal mythology, releasing harmful gases and difficult to extinguish, highlighting the dangers of fossil fuels
The Burning Mountain in Australia is home to one of the oldest naturally fueled fires on Earth, believed to have been burning for at least 6000 years. This coal seam fire, also known as a terrestrial methane fire, is not of human origin and is difficult to extinguish. It's a naturally occurring equivalent of human coal industry, where coal is burning without any benefit to humans. The site is significant in Aboriginal mythology, with a story explaining the origins of the fire. Coal and natural gas are both fossil fuels that can ignite and lead to persistent fires. Coal seam fires, like the one at Burning Mountain, can be hard to put out and release harmful gases into the atmosphere. Natural gas fires are also a concern due to their potential to burn out of control. Both types of fires highlight the dangers of fossil fuels and the impact they can have on the environment.
Naturally Occurring Fires from Flammable Substances: Natural gas and other flammable substances can ignite spontaneously, creating continuous flames in certain conditions, such as the Maiden Tower in Baku, Azerbaijan. These gases can be found in various geological formations and can leak to the surface, leading to naturally occurring fires.
Natural gas and other flammable substances, such as peat, can naturally emerge from the earth and ignite if they encounter a spark or flame. This phenomenon has been observed throughout history, particularly in areas with high concentrations of petroleum, such as the Abziran Peninsula in Azerbaijan. For instance, the Maiden Tower in Baku, a 12th century structure in the capital city, is believed to have been built around a natural gas flame. Fire holds significant religious significance in the Zoroastrian tradition, which is prevalent in the region. Natural gas and other flammable substances can be found in various geological formations, including conventional gas, biogas, deep natural gas, shale, tight gas, coalbed methane, submarine methane, hydrate gas, and geopressurized zone gas. These gases can leak to the surface and ignite, creating a continuous flame if the conditions are right. Peat fires, which can be difficult to extinguish, are another example of naturally occurring fires.
The Legend of the Maiden Tower: A Divine Female Warrior's Battle for Baku: The Maiden Tower in Baku is named after a legendary female warrior who disguised herself as a male soldier to protect the city during a siege, inspiring awe and resilience in the people.
The legend of the Maiden Tower in Baku, Azerbaijan, tells the story of a divine female warrior who protected the city during a brutal siege. The people prayed to their god Uhura Mazda for help, and in response, a fire maiden appeared from the holy fires. She requested a sword and a helmet to disguise herself as a male soldier, and led the city's forces into battle against the enemy commander. After defeating him, she revealed her identity, shocking him and inspiring awe. The legend may have evolved over time, and some versions suggest that the tower is named after the maiden's virginity or the city's association with fire. The modern city of Baku is still deeply connected to this history, as seen in its iconic flame-shaped skyscrapers and other sites of petroleum and natural gas. The legend of the Maiden Tower showcases the resilience and strength of the people of Baku and their deep connection to their cultural and religious heritage.
Mystery Fire in Surakzani, Iran: Burning for Over Half a Century: A fire in Surakzani, Iran, believed to be caused by a gas leak, has been burning for over half a century. The area is known for mud volcanoes and has been a significant part of the region's history, associated with religious practices and used for practical purposes.
There's an ongoing fire in Surakzani, Iran, which has been burning for potentially over half a century. The cause is believed to be a gas leak, and the area is also known for mud volcanoes. Traveler accounts, including from Engelbert Kaempfer in the late 1600s, describe the phenomenon as sulfurous spouts bursting from the soil, emitting various types of flames and fumes. The fires are a significant part of the region's history and have been associated with religious practices. Kaempfer noted that people in the area were using the fires for practical purposes, such as cooking and lime burning. Despite skepticism from some, the fires continue to be a mystery and a draw for visitors.
Ancient Persia's Significant Role of Fire in Religion and Practical Life: Fire played a crucial role in ancient Persian culture for both religious and practical purposes. Natural gas resources likely contributed to the veneration of fire and the construction of temples around natural gas leaks.
The account of Camper's observation of a natural gas flame in Persia and the existence of the Atashka Fire Temple in Baku illustrate the significant role of fire in both religious and practical aspects of ancient cultures. The use of fire for worship may have emerged as a response to the suppression of image cults. The region's natural gas resources likely contributed to the veneration of fire and the construction of temples around natural gas leaks, such as the Atashka Fire Temple. The temple's design allowed for the control and manipulation of gas flows to sustain multiple flames. The complex history of fire worship in the region is marked by the coexistence of image cults and fire cults, with debates surrounding the temple's origins and the timeframe of its existence. The lack of archaeological evidence before the Parthian period further complicates the understanding of the history of these fire temples.
From natural fire to artificial gas line at the Flame Temple: The Flame Temple's shift from natural fire to artificial gas line marks the boundary between the pre-oil era and the oil age, symbolizing humanity's transition from reliance on natural resources to technological mastery over them.
The Flame Temple in Azerbaijan, which is a potential UNESCO World Heritage Site, experienced a significant shift in 1883 when the natural divine fire was extinguished due to petroleum activity and was replaced by an artificial gas line. This event marks a boundary between the pre-oil era and the oil age, symbolizing the transition from reliance on natural resources to technological mastery over them. This discovery adds depth to our understanding of history and the impact of human activities on cultural and spiritual sites. The temple's continuing burning serves as a reminder of the ongoing relationship between humanity and fossil fuels. We encourage listeners to share their insights, experiences, or suggestions for future episodes related to this topic or any other topic covered on Stuff to Blow Your Mind. The podcast airs core episodes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, listener mail on Mondays, short form artifact or monster facts on Wednesdays, and weird house cinema on Fridays. For more information, visit the Iheartradio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.
