The real disaster is above ground. A mine fire and social conflict

Book · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:6777075

Kroll-Smith, J S; Couch, S R

In the 1950s Centralia was a small town, like many others, in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania. But since the 1960s, it has been consumed, outwardly and inwardly, by a fire that has inexorably spread in the abandoned mines beneath it. The earth smokes, subsides, and breathes poisonous gases. No less destructive has been the spread of dissension and enmity among the townspeople. This is a book about that disaster and about the tragic failure of all efforts to counter it. This study of the Centralia fire represents that most thorough canvass of the documentary materials and the community that has appeared. The authors report on the futile efforts of residents to reach a common understanding of an underground threat that was not readily visible and invited multiple interpretations.

• OSTI ID: 6777075
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
COAL MINES
DISASTERS
SOCIAL IMPACT
UNDERGROUND MINING
FIRES
ABANDONED SITES
ACCIDENTS
ATTITUDES
COAL MINERS
INHALATION
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
PENNSYLVANIA
PUBLIC OPINION
PUBLIC POLICY
SMOKES
AEROSOLS
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
FEDERAL REGION III
INTAKE
MINERS
MINES
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
PERSONNEL
RESIDUES
SAFETY
SOLS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
USA
016000* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Health & Safety
012033 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Underground Mining- Mine Environment- (1987-)