Eternal Flame Falls: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Eternal Flame Falls 1.jpg|thumb]] |
[[Image:Eternal Flame Falls 1.jpg|thumb]] |
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[[Image:Eternal flame falls 7252.jpg|thumb|The natural gas lit flame below the falls in early spring, 2009.]] |
[[Image:Eternal flame falls 7252.jpg|thumb|The natural gas lit flame below the falls in early spring, 2009.]] |
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The '''Eternal Flame Falls''' is a small [[waterfall]] located at {{Coord|42|42.1059|0|N|78|45.1025|0|W|type:landmark_region:US-NY|display=t}} in the Shale Creek Preserve, a section of the [[Chestnut Ridge Park]] in [[New York]]. A small [[grotto]] at the waterfall's base emits [[natural gas]], which can be lit to produce a small flame. This flame is visible nearly year round. |
The '''Eternal Flame Falls''' is a small [[waterfall]] located at {{Coord|42|42.1059|0|N|78|45.1025|0|W|type:landmark_region:US-NY|display=t}} in the Shale Creek Preserve, a section of the [[Chestnut Ridge Park]] in [[New York]]. A small [[grotto]] at the waterfall's base emits [[natural gas]], which can be lit to produce a [[Eternal_flame#Naturally_fuelled|small flame]]. This flame is visible nearly year round. |
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It was featured in the book ''Secret Places'' by [[Bruce Kershner]]. |
It was featured in the book ''Secret Places'' by [[Bruce Kershner]]. |
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==Composition and Source of Gas== |
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Geologists from [[Indiana University]] [[Indiana University Bloomington|Bloomington]] studied Eternal Flame Falls in 2013 in an effort to better understand how natural gas emitted from naturally-occurring [[petroleum seep|hydrocarbon seeps]] contribute to [[greenhouse gasses]] in the atmosphere. They found that the 'macroseep' at Eternal Flame Falls had higher concentrations of [[ethane]] and [[propane]] (about 35%) than other known natural gas seeps, which typically contain more [[methane]].<ref name="UInews_seeps">{{cite web |url=http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news-archive/24236.html |title=Geologists study mystery of 'eternal flames' |newspaper=IU News Room: Indiana University |date=May 9, 2013 |author= |accessdate= January 21, 2015}}</ref> They estimate that the seep at the falls emits approximately 1 kg of methane per day.<ref name=UI_journal>{{cite journal|last1=Etiopea|first1=Giuseppe|last2=Drobniakc|first2=Agnieszka|last3=Schimmelmannd|first3=Arndt|title=Natural seepage of shale gas and the origin of “eternal flames” in the Northern Appalachian Basin, USA|journal=Marine and Petroleum Geology|date=May 2013|volume=43|issue=May 2013|pages=178-186|doi=10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2013.02.009|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264817213000378|accessdate=21 January 2015}}</ref> |
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The researchers also noted the presence of numerous other 'microseeps' in the area of the falls. By comparing the gas emitted by these seeps with gas from wells in the area, they determined that the gasses originate from [[Rhinestreet Shale]] approximately 400 meters below the surface. Tectonic activity likely opened faults in the shale, allowing the gas to reach the surface.<ref name="UInews_seeps" /> |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* [http://naturalhighs.net/waterfalls/falls00/eternal.htm Eternal Flame Falls] |
* [http://naturalhighs.net/waterfalls/falls00/eternal.htm Eternal Flame Falls] |
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== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
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[[Category:Fire]] |
[[Category:Fire]] |
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Revision as of 16:11, 21 January 2015
The Eternal Flame Falls is a small waterfall located at 42°42.1059′0″N 78°45.1025′0″W / 42.70177°N 78.75171°W in the Shale Creek Preserve, a section of the Chestnut Ridge Park in New York. A small grotto at the waterfall's base emits natural gas, which can be lit to produce a small flame. This flame is visible nearly year round.
It was featured in the book Secret Places by Bruce Kershner.
Composition and Source of Gas
Geologists from Indiana University Bloomington studied Eternal Flame Falls in 2013 in an effort to better understand how natural gas emitted from naturally-occurring hydrocarbon seeps contribute to greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. They found that the 'macroseep' at Eternal Flame Falls had higher concentrations of ethane and propane (about 35%) than other known natural gas seeps, which typically contain more methane.[1] They estimate that the seep at the falls emits approximately 1 kg of methane per day.[2]
The researchers also noted the presence of numerous other 'microseeps' in the area of the falls. By comparing the gas emitted by these seeps with gas from wells in the area, they determined that the gasses originate from Rhinestreet Shale approximately 400 meters below the surface. Tectonic activity likely opened faults in the shale, allowing the gas to reach the surface.[1]
External links
References
- ^ a b "Geologists study mystery of 'eternal flames'". IU News Room: Indiana University. May 9, 2013. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
- ^ Etiopea, Giuseppe; Drobniakc, Agnieszka; Schimmelmannd, Arndt (May 2013). "Natural seepage of shale gas and the origin of "eternal flames" in the Northern Appalachian Basin, USA". Marine and Petroleum Geology. 43 (May 2013): 178–186. doi:10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2013.02.009. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
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