Fire and Smoke Phenomenon in West Najaf City —Southwest Iraq

Abdulkadhim J Alabidi,Nadhir Al-Ansari,Saadi A M Al-Dahaan

doi:10.4236/eng.2019.1112053

Abdulkadhim J Alabidi, Nadhir Al-Ansari + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/eng.2019.1112053

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Abstract

A strange phenomenon of fire taking place at Arruhban area west Bahr-Al Najaf area in Iraq was noticed in 2010 and smoke continued many months; this phenomenon reappeared many years later. This site is part of Bahr-Al Najaf-Iraq NE Arabian plate, located in flat area near an archeological site of Christian temple called Tel Arruhban. To understand the causes for this fire in a non-residential area, field observations from repeated visits between 2010 and 2018 and on-site excavation operations were conducted. The results of analysis of soil samples, and on-site detection for gases and vapors showed that the phenomenon of burning and smoke generated at this site was due to external influences and that the presence of soil rich with organic materials helped to the existence of this phenomenon.

Highlights

The study site (Arruhban area) is located at 440 00 38 E and 320 02 39 N, about 25 km west of Al Najaf City, near an archeological site of Christian temple called Tel Arruhban (Figure 1)
The proposed scenario for this phenomenon is summarized as follows: - There are trees on the site characterized by a long burning time as well as there are soils rich in organic materials resulting from the growth of plant colonies dense roots with continuous burial of sediments
The presence of dense network of holes of burrowing animals in these organic soils has provided sufficient air for combustion of organic matter in the soil. - The smell in the region attributed to non-dry organic materials and the roots of plants which gradually dry, burned and smokes. - The burning of organic matter in the soil leads to the loss of large part of the content of the soil which leads to collapse

Summary

Introduction

The study site (Arruhban area) is located at 440 00 38 E and 320 02 39 N, about 25 km west of Al Najaf City, near an archeological site of Christian temple called Tel Arruhban (Figure 1). The smoke Hills in Canada [1], Eternal Flame Falls, Orchard Park, New York [2], Mont Chimaera in Turkey [3], Baba Gurgur in Iraq [4], Burning Mountain in Australia [5], Erta Ale in Ethiopia [6], Door to the hell in Turkmenistan [7], Water and fire Cave [8], Burning mountain in Germany [9], Mrapen in Indonesia [10], Jawalamukhi in India [11], Chestnut Ridge Park in Pennsylvania [12] and Yanar Dag in Azerbaijan [6] are some of these sites. In most of these sites, the fire is related to leakage of gases while some of them related to burning in some types of rocky layers or it might be due to volcanic activities

Geology of the Area

Field Observations

Findings

Discussion and Interpretation

Conclusion