Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Contact    |    RSS icon Twitter icon Facebook icon  
Unexplained Mysteries
You are viewing: Home > News > Science & Technology > News story
Welcome Guest ( Login or Register )  
All ▾
Search Submit

Science & Technology

Lake has so much methane you can set it on fire

By T.K. Randall
September 29, 2018 · Comment icon 7 comments

The methane is highly flammable. Image Credit: YouTube / University of Alaska Fairbanks
Esieh Lake in northern Alaska is releasing so much trapped methane that you can literally set the air ablaze.
The lake, which can be heard bubbling and hissing as the gas slowly seeps out from beneath the snow and ice, has been the subject of a decade-long study led by aquatic ecosystem ecologist Katey Walter Anthony from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Back in 2010, she became the unwitting host of a viral video showing a team of scientists poking holes in the ice and setting fire to the gas (viewable below).

The explanation for this strange phenomenon, it turns out, is that a large amount of methane gas trapped in the permafrost is being released as the ice melts, creating holes in the lake bed.
The gas then creates bubbles which rise to the surface and escape in to the atmosphere.

During the winter when the lake is frozen over, the bubbles become trapped but can be selectively released and burnt off by creating holes in the surface and setting the escaping gas on fire.

While the phenomenon might seem harmless enough, the fact that this is happening at all is indicative of a larger problem that could lead to a runaway global warming effect in the not-too-distant future.



Source: Live Science | Comments (7)




Other news and articles
Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #1 Posted by Black Monk 6 years ago
Just like on Titan.
Comment icon #2 Posted by UFOwatcher 6 years ago
Too bad that can't be 'collected' and used as fuel.
Comment icon #3 Posted by Black Monk 6 years ago
I was thinking that myself. I don't see why they can't somehow collect it, though. It is methane we use in our homes to cook.
Comment icon #4 Posted by Nnicolette 6 years ago
Eww... who cooks with methane wtf
Comment icon #5 Posted by Avalanche 6 years ago
Ignis faatus or fen fire is also quite awsome
Comment icon #6 Posted by Black Monk 6 years ago
Most people use it in their homes. It's the stuff in our gas ovens - we call it "natural gas".
Comment icon #7 Posted by Nnicolette 6 years ago
Oh... thats weird i thought it was all propane at least that what the company i buy it from calls it.


Please Login or Register to post a comment.


Our new book is out now!
Book cover

The Unexplained Mysteries
Book of Weird News

 AVAILABLE NOW 

Take a walk on the weird side with this compilation of some of the weirdest stories ever to grace the pages of a newspaper.

Click here to learn more

We need your help!
Patreon logo

Support us on Patreon

 BONUS CONTENT 

For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, you can gain access to a wide range of exclusive perks including our popular 'Lost Ghost Stories' series.

Click here to learn more

Recent news and articles