Experts iffy on swamp gas explanation of hotel explosion

[daleo]

Source: Winnipeg Free Press

OTTAWA - Some experts are skeptical about a claim by Mexican authorities that a previously undetected mass of swamp gas caused the deadly explosion beneath the Grand Riviera Princess Hotel.

Within hours of the blast that killed seven people, including five Canadians, officials were pointing to that explanation, but there are doubters.
...
Western Kentucky University geologist Lee Florea said gases can accumulate in underground pockets because of contaminants such as petroleum that attach themselves in sediment in cave walls. When these break down, they can produce gases.

But Florea said he'd be cautious about the explanation offered in the Grand Princess explosion.

"What does seem suspicious is how quickly that conclusion was reached, and the fact that it's not a very common thing," said Florea.

"It's not every day that you hear of these types of explosions, and if this were natural, it might be more frequent than that, considering the pace of development that has occurred in regions like that near the coastline."




Read more: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/breakingnews/experts-iffy-on-swamp-gas-explanation-of-hotel-explosion-108249369.html

[awoke_in_2003]

1. swamp gas didn't cause the explosion...

it was a UFO. Ummm, wait... that's not right :)

[snagglepuss]

2. Interesting. More evidence about reporters uncritically accepting whatever

authorities aver. Whatever happened to scepticism? When I heard about the explosion I was struck how quickly authorities knew it was swamp gas. It seemed odd but given every news outlet reporting it was swamp gas, I accepted that as fact so I too am kind of guilty.

[nalnn]

3. Really?

No shit?