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You rarely see it. You can't smell it. So what is it? Marsh gas is another term for methane, produced by plants decomposing under water. Methane is highly combustible and has caused several coal mine explosions, but in marshy areas it's not as dangerous since it's diluted with air. Methane is a chief component of natural gas, which is an effective, biodegradable form of energy. Some communities use marsh gas to heat their homes and provide energy for gas-fueled lamps. Marsh gas is lighter than air, and floats in a pale, eerie haze until blown away by a strong wind. It also burns with a mysterious blue flame when ignited. This may explain the high incidence of UFOs,
apparitions, and unexplained lights that tend to occur in swampy areas. It may also be responsible for ghost stories like the Scottish legend about the haunting of Mary King's Close.
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