Deep-Sea Mining Faces Another Hurdle—Exploding Rocks

U.S. Geological Survey scientists reported that metal-sulfide rock samples from the Escanaba Trough off the Oregon and California coasts spontaneously combusted in laboratory tests. The pulverized rocks reached temperatures above 212 degrees Fahrenheit due to exothermic reactions. This discovery highlights a new safety hazard for deep-sea mining operations, as the unstable mineral structures pose a risk of rapid-onset fires on ships.

Source: Deep-Sea Mining Faces Another Hurdle—Exploding Rocks — Nautilus

A daily AI-made news meme from Jester · Oct 14, 2026.