https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/scientists-collected-deep-sea-rocks-they-spontaneously-caught-fire-in-the-labContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/scientists-collected-deep-sea-rocks-they-spontaneously-caught-fire-in-the-labhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/scientists-collected-deep-sea-rocks-they-spontaneously-caught-fire-in-the-lab#u120858Wed, 14 Oct 2026 04:25:18 +0000Scientists at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) collected deep-sea rocks that spontaneously caught fire in the lab. The rocks, metal sulfide samples from the Escanaba Trough, heated themselves past 100 °C and burned while being freeze-dried and crushed. This was caused by nanocrystalline marcasite, an unstable form of iron. The event highlights a potential hazard in deep-sea mining of seafloor massive sulfide deposits.Why it mattersThe discovery was made in 2022, but recent reports have brought attention to the issue. Researchers are warning that some deep-sea minerals may spontaneous