While reports suggest there are approximately nine eternal flames globally, the precise worldwide total is not definitively known. The exact locations of all natural eternal flames around the world also remain largely unconfirmed, contributing to the challenge of establishing a definitive count.
The Elusive Count of Eternal Flames
The concept of an "eternal flame" typically refers to a continuously burning fire, often fueled by natural gas seeping from the earth. These phenomena are incredibly rare, making a comprehensive global tally difficult. While some surveys and reports indicate around nine such natural occurrences are known, new discoveries can alter this understanding. For instance, the uncovering of an incredibly rare eternal flame within a waterfall highlights that not all existing flames may be cataloged.
Understanding Eternal Flames
Eternal flames are a fascinating intersection of geology and sustained combustion. They can be categorized into:
- Natural Gas Seeps: These are the most common type of natural eternal flame, where gas (primarily methane) continuously escapes from the ground and is ignited, often by lightning or human activity, burning indefinitely unless extinguished.
- Coal Seam Fires: Less common as "eternal flames" in the typical sense, these are underground coal deposits that catch fire and can smolder for decades or even centuries, like the infamous Centralia mine fire.
- Symbolic/Memorial Flames: These are human-maintained flames that burn continuously for symbolic purposes (e.g., memorials, religious sites), and while "eternal" in intent, they require human intervention to keep burning. The context of the "around nine" figure primarily relates to natural, self-sustaining phenomena.
Notable Examples and Rarity
The scarcity of natural eternal flames makes each known site a remarkable geological wonder. Their existence depends on a precise combination of continuous gas flow, a suitable geological structure, and a consistent ignition source.
Here are a few examples of well-known natural eternal flames:
| Name/Location | Type of Eternal Flame | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Eternal Flame Falls (New York, USA) | Natural gas seep | Unique flame burning behind a waterfall, fueled by gas seeping through shale bedrock. Its discovery contributes to the evolving understanding of existing eternal flames. |
| Yanartas (Chimaera) (Turkey) | Natural gas seep | Multiple small flames that have burned continuously for thousands of years, fueled by methane and other gases from deep geological vents. |
| Darvaza Gas Crater (Door to Hell) (Turkmenistan) | Natural gas seep (man-made ignition) | A large, continuously burning natural gas field that was ignited accidentally in 1971 and has been burning ever since. |
| Centralia (Pennsylvania, USA) | Coal seam fire | An underground coal mine fire that has been burning since 1962, leading to the abandonment of the town. |
The rarity of these phenomena means that an exact, fixed number is challenging to ascertain, as some may exist in remote or underwater environments yet to be discovered or fully documented.
