What caused mine explosion in West Virginia?
Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - 14:35
in Earth & Climate
With 25 miners dead and four still missing, what caused the explosion in the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia is far from the top priority right now. But forensic teams will be investigating over the next year or so, looking to see if safety regulations need to be updated. at there's no way to be certain methane caused the explosion — coal dust is everywhere in mines, and can ignite violently. Standard safety practice dictates that mines be "rock dusted" so that at least 65 percent of all dust in the mine is made up of harmless limestone. West Virginia - United States - Methane - Explosion - Mining accident