Burning Mountain, Nature reserve in Wingen, Australia.
Burning Mountain is a hill in New South Wales where a coal seam has been burning underground for thousands of years. On the surface warm rocks show yellowish and reddish discoloration and isolated columns of smoke rise from cracks in the ground.
European settlers in the early 19th century believed the smoking mountain was a volcano until geologist Reverend Wilton proved in 1829 that it was a burning coal seam. Radiocarbon dating later revealed that the fire began around 6000 years ago, probably ignited by lightning.
The name Wingen comes from the language of Aboriginal people and means fire, referring to the underground glow. Visitors today can touch warm patches on the ground and watch thin smoke rising from cracks in the rock.
The return trail runs for two kilometers (1.2 miles) through the reserve and climbs moderately, requiring sturdy shoes and enough drinking water. Information panels along the path explain geological phenomena and point to places where the ground temperature rises noticeably.
The underground fire moves south at about one meter (three feet) per year and changes the composition of the soil above it. On some days small landslides occur when rock beneath the surface gives way.
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