FoxNews: Seismic Events Recorded Not Far From Mine Disaster Site

[Scurrilous]

Two seismic events -- one natural, the other manmade -- occurred not far from a West Virginia coal mine just days before a suspected methane explosion left at least 25 miners dead and four missing.

<snip>

"Two seismic events -- one natural, the other manmade -- occurred not far from a West Virginia coal mine just days before a suspected methane explosion left 25 miners dead and four missing.

An earthquake registering magnitude 3.4 occurred early Sunday morning about 100 miles northeast of Montcoal, W. Va., the location of the Upper Big Branch Mine, a massive coal mining operation where an explosion killed and trapped miners more than a mile below the surface on Monday.

An earthquake of that magnitude is strong enough to dislodge pockets of methane gas, though the distance from the mine suggests that it would not have affected the explosion, Julie Dutton, a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey, told FoxNews.com.

"There's the definite possibility that that's what could have happened, but not from this earthquake," Dutton said. "This one was too far away and days separated. That makes a big difference."

<snip>

"Another seismic event, this one man-made, took place closer to the mine on Saturday, April 3, when surface blasting at a nearby mine was initially mistaken for a minor quake of 2.9 magnitude. Dutton explained that with details still emerging, it was impossible to rule out the effects of this nearby seismic activity conclusively, though again she suspects that there was no connection. "

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/04/06/seismic-events-triggered-explosion/

[crazylikafox]

1. Sure. That way it's not the coal mine operator's fault.

Fox is spinning already.

[Dappleganger]

2. Was thinking the same thing. Spin, spin, spin. nt

[FBaggins]

4. No... it would still be their fault.

They have a responsibility to detect and properly vent the gas.

[spinbaby]

3. Sounds familiar

Remember how they tried to blame the Utah mine disaster a couple of years ago on an earthquake?

[randr]

6. Exactly!

And it did not take long to dispute. Problem is that all the idiots need is one lie to rely on, then all the truth in the world will not convince them otherwise.

[get the red out]

5. That's it, an act of GAWD, case closed

We can't blame an innocent mining company that does so much for those poor wretched people by giving them a job for God's calling those men home. HE planned it all, took them up to the pearly gates. Praise be, God using Massey to bring good men to Heaven. :sarcasm:

[Scurrilous]

7. More:

AP: In coalfields, work, death in mines is way of life

<snip>

"Down the road from the disaster scene at the Upper Big Branch Mine, two unassuming brick buildings stand side by side, hugging the bank of the Big Coal River. One is the Assembly of God Church; the other is the meeting hall of Local 6608 of the United Mine Workers Union.

When you make your living digging coal, miner Albert T. Bonds says, you'd better have God and family behind you.

"It's a tight bunch — and a religious bunch — that's up and down the river," says Bonds, 51, who worked 27 years underground, eight of them at the Massey Energy Co. mine in nearby Montcoal, where 25 were killed and four still missing in an explosion Monday. "And it's a good place to grow up and be."

But to grow up here is to know that death, massive and swift, can come at any time. It hit home four years ago, when 12 miners died at the Sago Mine in the northeastern corner of the state, and again Monday when methane gas apparently ignited, causing the blast.

Benny R. Willingham, who died in Monday's explosion, was just five weeks from retirement. His daughter, Michelle McKinney, says he was looking forward to a Virgin Island cruise, but was also prepared for death.

"He talked about it all the time. He said if the Lord come and got him, he's ready," she said Tuesday as she clutched a photo of her parents and their youngest grandson. "He was a family man and he loved the Lord. We know where he's at, but we still want him to come back."

<snip>

"Coal pays the mortgages on homes and the monthly payments on shiny new pickups, often bearing "Friends of Coal" stickers. Even though Massey Energy and some of its mining methods have stirred controversy, most here support the company and accuse outsiders of trying to divide the community with their criticisms."

<snip>

"There is a pride among miners that seems born of inevitability, or resignation. When you have no other choice, you can rage against fate, or embrace it.

"A coal miner is a rare breed," said Bonds, who switched to aboveground work at a coal preparation plant in 2006. "They're somewhat like a soldier, I think. Because every time you go underground, there's always a slight possibility you might not come out. But that's the occupation you've chosen. That's how you earn your living and feed your family."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hgwJXUwg1zJk_OAQfZPsKbJyq8hQD9ETOLKO0

[cutlassmama]

8. Of course GAWD caused it! Couldn't be due to all the past violations

the mine had been cited for. :sarcasm:

[malaise]

9. That's way too lame

Murray tried that shit with his mine and it did not work.

[Uzybone]

10. Meaningless news that they admit is meaningless

hey seismic events occurred in Baja a few days before the Mine Disaster. Fox News just thought you wanted to know that.