The flames in the valleys of Turkey have been burning continuously for at least 2,500 years, caused by the influence of a rare metal.
The Mystery of the Eternal Flame Burning for 2,500 Years
Yanartas is an area near Olympus Valley in southwestern Turkey, known for its year-round flames. In Turkish, Yanartas means “the burning stone.”
These flames are believed to have inspired the poet Homer when creating the character of the fire-breathing monster Chimera in the epic poem Iliad. A Greek hero, Bellerophon, buried the Chimera deep underground. Many locals believe that this is the burial site of the Chimera and that these flames are its breath.
In reality, the flames emanating from these rock crevices are the result of methane gas leaking from the underlying strata through fissures. The source of methane in Yanartas is believed to be formed at temperatures higher than those typically found in the area. No one knows what ignited these gas streams, but they have maintained a continuous burn for over 2,500 years.
The flames burning at Yanartas at night. (Photo: Wikipedia)
Recent research by Giuseppe Etiope, a scientist at the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology in Rome, Italy, along with colleagues at Bolyai University (Romania), may have found the answer. The experts suggest that Ruthenium, a rare metal found in the flint stones beneath this area, may act as a catalyst. In laboratory conditions, Ruthenium promotes the formation of methane gas at temperatures below 100 degrees Celsius, similar to the temperatures at Yanartas.
“This finding suggests that the formation of methane gas can occur at lower temperatures than previously thought“, said Michael Whiticar, an expert at Victoria University, Canada, according to New Scientist.
According to Etiope, a significant amount of this type of methane gas could still exist in the world, opening up prospects for finding new sources of natural gas.
For centuries, sailors adrift at sea could see these flames and used them as a sign to navigate. Today, these flames are used by backpackers to boil water for tea.
