How Many Eternal Flames Are There?
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The question of how many eternal flames exist might conjure images of mythical fires burning endlessly, fueled by magic or divine intervention. While the reality is far more grounded in science, the concept of a flame that seems to burn forever remains fascinating. The simple answer is: there isn’t a single, universally agreed-upon number of eternal flames. This is because the definition of “eternal” and “natural” is somewhat fluid. While dozens, potentially hundreds of locations exhibit flames that appear continuous, most are sustained by human intervention or specific geological conditions, with a few being truly naturally occurring.
Let’s delve deeper into what qualifies as an “eternal flame” and explore some of the most notable examples, before addressing common questions about this intriguing phenomenon.
Defining “Eternal Flames”
It’s essential to differentiate between several kinds of flames that can be considered “eternal.” Primarily, we can break them down into three categories:
- Naturally Occurring Eternal Flames: These are flames fueled by natural gas seeps or burning coal seams that have been ignited by lightning or other natural means and then continue burning for long periods with minimal human intervention.
- Human-Maintained Eternal Flames: These are typically memorial flames, such as the one at President John F. Kennedy’s gravesite, that rely on a continuous fuel supply and maintenance to keep burning.
- Hybrid Eternal Flames: These are flames that are primarily sustained by natural sources, but might require periodic human intervention for reignition or to clear obstacles, like the famous Eternal Flame Falls.
Most flames labeled “eternal” fall into the latter two categories. The truly remarkable examples are the naturally occurring ones, where geological processes are responsible for the continuous fire.
Notable Natural Eternal Flames
While hundreds of flames around the world may have a “natural” aspect, only a few could be considered truly continuously burning due to geological phenomenon. Some of the most well-known naturally occurring flames include:
- Eternal Flame Falls, New York, USA: Tucked within the Chestnut Ridge Park in Western New York, this flame burns behind a waterfall in a small grotto. It’s fueled by natural gas seeping through cracks in the shale. This makes it a hybrid eternal flame, where human interaction is needed periodically to reignite it.
- Mount Wingen (Burning Mountain), Australia: This is a site of an ancient coal seam fire that ignited approximately 6,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest-known, naturally burning eternal flames in the world. The fire continues to smolder and burn underground. This flame is thought to be the longest lasting natural flame.
- Yanar Dag, Azerbaijan: Known as the “Burning Mountain,” this hillside boasts a natural gas fire that has been blazing for millennia, fueled by a constant stream of methane gas. It is one of the most striking examples of a naturally occurring eternal flame.
- Ateshgah Fire Temple, Azerbaijan: This site showcases a fire that has been continuously burning for approximately 4,000 years, fueled by natural gas from the earth. The temple has become an important site for Zoroastrians and Hindus alike.
- Guanziling, Taiwan: Here, a perpetual flame burns as a result of methane gas seeping from the ground.
- Flaming Geyser State Park, Washington, USA: While not a single eternal flame, this park features a bubbling geyser where small pockets of methane gas ignite spontaneously.
These are just a few of the many locations globally where natural phenomena fuel seemingly endless fires.
Human-Maintained Eternal Flames
In addition to these natural examples, there are numerous human-maintained eternal flames, which mostly have memorial purposes. These flames, although visually stunning, do rely on infrastructure and human intervention. Examples include:
- John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame, Arlington National Cemetery: Lit by Mrs. Kennedy in 1963, this is arguably the most famous memorial eternal flame. It is fueled by natural gas and is carefully maintained.
- Unknown Soldier Eternal Flames: Many nations maintain flames to commemorate their war dead, relying on similar fuel and maintenance mechanisms as the JFK flame.
- Various other memorial flames exist worldwide, from local to global, all relying on continuous fuel to burn.
The sheer volume of these memorial flames worldwide means that there is likely dozens or hundreds of them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about eternal flames, to deepen understanding of these fascinating occurrences:
1. What exactly is an “eternal flame”?
An eternal flame is a fire that burns seemingly indefinitely. It can be fueled by natural phenomena, such as gas leaks, peat, or coal seams, or by human-controlled systems like those used in memorial flames.
2. Is there a fire that never goes out?
The term “eternal flame” suggests a fire that never goes out, but in most cases, some form of maintenance or geological condition supports it. Naturally occurring flames like those at Mount Wingen are closest to that definition.
3. How rare is an eternal flame?
Truly natural, spontaneously burning eternal flames are very rare, whereas the kind maintained by human engineering and infrastructure are more common. The most common kind are memorial flames, followed by hybrid natural flames that require occasional human help.
4. What is the oldest flame in the world?
The coal seam fire under Mount Wingen is the oldest-known naturally occurring eternal flame, estimated to be at least 6,000 years old, but could potentially be older.
5. What fire has been burning for 4,000 years?
The Ateshgah Fire Temple in Azerbaijan is known for a fire that has reportedly been burning for about 4,000 years, which is sustained by natural gas.
6. What happens if the eternal flame goes out?
In most memorial flames, there is an engineered system to reignite the flame instantly if it is extinguished. In a naturally occurring flame, it may require human intervention to reignite it, or may relight on its own after a period.
7. What is the hottest flame on Earth?
The hottest flame is produced by carbon subnitride (C4N2), which can reach 4,988°C (9,010°F). However, eternal flames tend to have more moderate temperatures based on fuel and surrounding environment.
8. Has the JFK eternal flame ever gone out?
There have been times when the JFK eternal flame had to be moved during maintenance and upgrades, but the flame was always reestablished. It has not been extinguished and never gone out for good.
9. Why does the Eternal Flame Fall exist?
The flame at Eternal Flame Falls is fueled by a natural gas pocket seeping through the shale rock. When it sputters out, hikers often reignite it.
10. Who pays for the JFK eternal flame?
The Kennedy family covered the immediate grave area’s actual costs, while the U.S. federal government funded improvements in the surrounding area that accommodate the public.
11. Can you visit the Eternal Flame Falls?
Yes, the Eternal Flame Falls can be visited. There is a 1.2-mile hiking trail that leads to the grotto where the flame burns.
12. What mountain is on fire for 3,000 years?
The Yanar Dag in Azerbaijan is known as the burning mountain because its hillside is continuously ablaze from natural gas seepage. It has been burning for over 3,000 years.
13. What was the first fire ever?
The oldest fire recorded on Earth has been identified from charcoal in rocks formed during the late Silurian Period, around 420 million years ago.
14. What is the coldest flame possible?
The lowest recorded cool flame temperatures are between 200 and 300°C. Cool flames can occur in a variety of hydrocarbons.
15. What is the strongest flame?
The hottest flames are blue-white, indicating the highest temperatures, which happens when all other flame colors combine. The hottest flame is carbon subnitride.
Conclusion
The allure of eternal flames stems from a human fascination with enduring phenomena. While the reality might be different from the fantastical concept, these flames, whether natural or human-maintained, continue to capture our imagination. The exact number of “eternal flames” is ambiguous, but this exploration clarifies the types and some of the most notable instances. Each flame, in its own way, represents a persistent testament to either the forces of nature or the power of human memory.