Burning Mountain: Australia’s Eternal Fire Beneath the Earth

Deep beneath the hills of New South Wales, Burning Mountain holds a fiery secret: it's the site of the world’s longest-burning underground coal seam fire, estimated to have been smouldering for over 6,000 years. Located near the town of Wingen, this slow-moving subterranean fire has transformed the landscape, warping the ground and emitting heat and smoke through surface vents. Once mistaken for a volcanic phenomenon, Burning Mountain is a remarkable example of how natural coal deposits can ignite and burn for millennia—without any human intervention. This blog explores the geologic origins, current movement, and global significance of one of Earth's most quietly dramatic natural features.