Centralia, PA [Coal]

Physical and cultural impacts:

In 1962, a fire began in the abandoned coal mines beneath Centralia, PA. Several theories exist on how the fire started; primary sources seem to indicate that a trash fire was not properly extinguished, and that hot embers broke through to the empty mine shaft beneath the town dump.  The fire gained intensity and spread; eventually damaging streets and leaking dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Many residents were bought out and relocated through the 1980’s, and in 1992 the state condemned all the properties in the town through eminent domain.

From top:

A steam vent pipe at the landfill; cracked and buckled asphalt on Highway 61.