Firstly, I'd like to thank the list for the superb response to my question.
I had no idea this was such a serious issue for mines.
To further expand on what I am looking into, I am reading a report by Varley
on the vitrified ramparts at Almondbury, Huddersfield, UK. According to his
report, he identified several areas where the fire damage was contained
within the interior of the fort's rampart and had no effect on the external
stone work. He therefore was led to think that this effect may have been due
to spontanious combustion.
However, the ramparts of Almondbury were constructed from stone, interlaced
with timber, not to my knowledge or the excavators a coal mining tip. As a
guess I would say no more than 5% of the rampart was of wood, this was
possibly of railway sleeper size and at least 1-2 foot of stone walling
between. Would wood cause the same effect? perhaps as a side effect of
decay?
To give you an idea as to the exact construction, timber laced ramparts were
built using two outer drysone "skins", filled with rubble and tied together
with wooden beams - similar to through stones in drystone walls. The timbers
were similar in size to railway sleepers and typically one or two lines of
lacing would be placed, three foot apart vertically and perhaps one or two
foot apart along the length of the wall.
In the case of Almondbury, the wood did not protrude outside the outer skin
of the rampart, and was not tied together, yet the interior of the rampart
bacame subject to strong heat - the excavator considered this heat to be
between 6-800 degrees Centigrade. Not hot enough for this to be called a
genuine vitrified fort, yet the nature of the heat - from inside, seems very
unusual.
I wonder if there is some geological explanation?
Thanks
George
-----Original Message-----
From: mining-history [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
ANDREW BARNES
Sent: 01 April 2003 14:41
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Spontanious conbustion in coal mining tips
There was a article in New Scientist a month or three ago about fires buring
in coal seams around the world - it may be available online via
http://www.newscientist.co.uk or alternatively, if not there then let me
know and I'll scan in the article and mail it to you. The reasons were (I
think) accidental ignition, forest fires for open seams on the surface and
there may have been one or two more.
One thing I've noticed - you mentioed fires in coal tips rather than in coal
seams yet everyone seems to be commenting on fires below ground - is this
what you meant or do you actually mean fires on tips outside?
Andrew.
----- Original Message -----
From: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2003 8:52 AM
Subject: Spontanious conbustion in coal mining tips
> Hi All,
>
> I have been reading an archaeological report discussing the vitrification
of
> the interior of the ramparts of some IA hill forts. At one point some coal
> miners are quoted as saying the effects are similar to the effects of
> spontanious combustion in coal waste tips.
>
> I must admit, I have always thought these fires were caused by people
> scavenging the tips for coal, what evidence is there for spontanious
> combustion?
>
> George
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.443 / Virus Database: 248 - Release Date: 10/01/03
>
---
Incoming mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.443 / Virus Database: 248 - Release Date: 10/01/03
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.443 / Virus Database: 248 - Release Date: 10/01/03
|