The Disasters of Coal Mining

Centralia

• Fire began May 1962. • Many stories on how the fire began.• Anthracite coal was underneath the town of

Centralia and it caught on fire and is still burning today.

The dangers of Centralia

• It is very dangerous to live in Centralia. • Only 6 people are still living in the town.• Toxic gases are being released from the

ground in Centralia. • The coal is still burning today!• The ground is very weak from the fire and it

can collapse.

Dangers of Coal Mining

• Knox Mine:

Knox Mine

• 1959 the Susquehanna River Flooded the Knox Mine.

• River slope mine- where they mined up against the river.

• They mined to close to the river and the rocks broke letting the river come into the mine.

• Many people died and were never found from the accident.

Dangers of Coal Mining

• Explosions• Poisonous gases• Mines collapsing • Black lung: disease caused by inhaling coal

dust.• Thousands die every year from coal mining

Coal mining and the effects on the Earth

• The land where coal is mined is ruined.• Green house gases are released into the air.• Acid mine drainage- water and coal mix

creating a toxic water.