The Eternal Flame Falls (cont.)
Although the mystery has been somewhat lessened as of 2013 when geologists from Indiana University Bloomington and Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology studied this incredible natural phenomenon. They discovered that there was a ‘macro seep’ emitting approximately one kilogram (2.2 lb) of methane per day and originated from Rhinestreet Shale approximately 400 meters (1,300 ft) below the surface.
Some of its mystery remains, however, as this is a previously unknown geologic mechanism by which natural gas is produced within shale and scientists are still trying to understand it. Even if we do eventually fully understand the Eternal Flame Falls and its fire within, some flame of awe and wonder will still burn within us.
