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Jharia अंडरग्राउंड कोयला आग सालाना 750 MT CO₂‑eq उत्सर्जित कर सकती है, अध्ययन ने पाया

A joint UK‑India study of the Jharia coal fields reveals that underground fire‑induced collapse structures can reach temperatures near 4,000 °C and may emit up to 748.72 MT CO₂‑equivalent annually, highlighting a significant, yet under‑reported, source of greenhouse gases and underscoring the need for better monitoring and mitigation policies for UPSC aspirants.
Overview The Jharia coal fields have been burning beneath the ground for decades. A recent joint study by researchers from the UK and India, including the CSIR‑Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR) , reveals that the fire‑affected zones may be hotter and emit more greenhouse gases than earlier estimates. Key Developments Collapse structures created by burning coal seams can extend vertically over 100 m, acting as chimneys for hot gases. Field work (2018‑2023) in the Ena, Bastacolla and Tisera collieries documented cavities up to 10 m wide and identified melted rock forms. Researchers discovered paralava and a glass‑enveloped rock dubbed “ birianiite ”. Computer simulations suggest isolated collapse structures could reach temperatures close to 4,000 °C , far above typical underground fire estimates. Using modeled coal consumption, the study estimates a global warming potential of up to 748.72 MT CO₂‑equivalent per year for Jharia – nearly double India’s total territorial emissions in 2023. Important Facts When mining exposes coal to oxygen, natural oxidation can trigger an underground coal fire . These fires spread irregularly, making direct measurement difficult. The study combined field observations with numerical modelling to overcome this limitation. The authors note that their temperature and emission estimates exclude certain real‑world processes such as chemical reactions and mechanical deformation, which could modify the results. Mor
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<h2>Overview</h2> <p>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="Jharia coal fields — a large coal mining region in Jharkhand, India, known for long‑standing underground fires (GS3: Environment/Energy)">Jharia coal fields</span> have been burning beneath the ground for decades. A recent joint study by researchers from the UK and India, including the <span class="key-term" data-definition="CSIR‑Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR) — a premier Indian research institute under CSIR focusing on mining, fuel and related technologies (GS3: Science & Technology)">CSIR‑Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR)</span>, reveals that the fire‑affected zones may be hotter and emit more <span class="key-term" data-definition="Greenhouse gases — gases like CO₂ that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming (GS3: Environment/Economy)">greenhouse gases</span> than earlier estimates.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>Collapse structures created by burning coal seams can extend vertically over 100 m, acting as chimneys for hot gases.</li> <li>Field work (2018‑2023) in the Ena, Bastacolla and Tisera collieries documented cavities up to 10 m wide and identified melted rock forms.</li> <li>Researchers discovered <span class="key-term" data-definition="Paralava — rock that has melted and resolidified due to the high temperature of coal fires (GS3: Geology/Environment)">paralava</span> and a glass‑enveloped rock dubbed “<span class="key-term" data-definition="Birianiite — a newly identified glass‑enveloped rock formed in Jharia’s fire‑collapsed cavities, named for its resemblance to a rice dish (GS3: Geology)">birianiite</span>”.</li> <li>Computer simulations suggest isolated collapse structures could reach temperatures close to <strong>4,000 °C</strong>, far above typical underground fire estimates.</li> <li>Using modeled coal consumption, the study estimates a <span class="key-term" data-definition="Global warming potential (GWP) — a measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps compared to CO₂ over a specific time horizon (GS3: Environment)">global warming potential</span> of up to <strong>748.72 MT CO₂‑equivalent per year</strong> for Jharia – nearly double India’s total territorial emissions in 2023.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>When mining exposes coal to oxygen, natural oxidation can trigger an <span class="key-term" data-definition="Underground coal fire — a fire that burns beneath the earth’s surface, often ignited when mining exposes coal to oxygen; it releases heat and gases for decades (GS3: Environment/Energy)">underground coal fire</span>. These fires spread irregularly, making direct measurement difficult. The study combined field observations with numerical modelling to overcome this limitation.</p> <p>The authors note that their temperature and emission estimates exclude certain real‑world processes such as chemical reactions and mechanical deformation, which could modify the results. Mor
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Jharia coal fires could emit 750 MT CO₂‑eq yearly, threatening India’s climate targets

Key Facts

  1. Jharia coal fields in Jharkhand have underground fires that have burned for several decades.
  2. Collapse structures created by burning seams can rise over 100 m and act like chimneys for hot gases.
  3. Field work (2018‑2023) found cavities up to 10 m wide and rocks called paralava and birianiite formed by extreme heat.
  4. Computer models show temperatures in isolated collapse zones may reach about 4,000 °C.
  5. The study estimates up to 748.72 MT CO₂‑equivalent emissions per year from Jharia fires.
  6. This amount is nearly double India’s total territorial emissions recorded in 2023.
  7. Researchers from the UK and CSIR‑CIMFR (India) recommend adding such fugitive emissions to the national GHG inventory.

Background & Context

Underground coal fires ignite when exposed coal meets oxygen and burn for decades, releasing heat and gases that are hard to measure. In the UPSC syllabus they illustrate the environmental cost of fossil‑fuel extraction, non‑point source pollution and the need for robust monitoring and climate policy.

UPSC Syllabus Connections

Prelims_GS•Social and Economic Geography of India

Mains Answer Angle

GS III – Environment/Energy – can ask about the impact of Jharia’s fugitive emissions on India’s climate goals and the policy steps required to control them.

Analysis

Practice Questions

GS3
Easy
Prelims MCQ

झरिया भूमिगत कोयला आग

1 marks
4 keywords
GS3
Medium
Mains Short Answer

कोयला आग के जलवायु परिवर्तन निहितार्थ

10 marks
4 keywords
GS3
Hard
Mains Essay

कोयला आग उत्सर्जन के शमन हेतु नीति उपाय

250 marks
5 keywords
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Key Insight

Jharia coal fires could emit 750 MT CO₂‑eq yearly, threatening India’s climate targets

Key Facts

  1. Jharia coal fields in Jharkhand have underground fires that have burned for several decades.
  2. Collapse structures created by burning seams can rise over 100 m and act like chimneys for hot gases.
  3. Field work (2018‑2023) found cavities up to 10 m wide and rocks called paralava and birianiite formed by extreme heat.
  4. Computer models show temperatures in isolated collapse zones may reach about 4,000 °C.
  5. The study estimates up to 748.72 MT CO₂‑equivalent emissions per year from Jharia fires.
  6. This amount is nearly double India’s total territorial emissions recorded in 2023.
  7. Researchers from the UK and CSIR‑CIMFR (India) recommend adding such fugitive emissions to the national GHG inventory.

Background

Underground coal fires ignite when exposed coal meets oxygen and burn for decades, releasing heat and gases that are hard to measure. In the UPSC syllabus they illustrate the environmental cost of fossil‑fuel extraction, non‑point source pollution and the need for robust monitoring and climate policy.

UPSC Syllabus

  • Prelims_GS — Social and Economic Geography of India

Mains Angle

GS III – Environment/Energy – can ask about the impact of Jharia’s fugitive emissions on India’s climate goals and the policy steps required to control them.

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Jharia अंडरग्राउंड कोयला आग सालाना 750 MT ... | UPSC Current Affairs