Gas trapped in a frozen lake makes amazing fireball — VIDEO

Warning: this video contains some serious science.

But don’t worry, this science is awesome.

The video starts off like any generic science video: several scientists measuring things with an educational voice-over from a university professor. This one in particular is University of Alaska Fairbanks Professor Katey Walter Anthony.

Anthony describes a phenomenon in which methane gas is trapped just below the surface of the lake.

This happens when dead trees or any organic matter falls to the bottom of the lake. As they thaw out and decompose at the bottom, they release methane gas, which forms bubbles and rises to the surface. During the summer, these bubbles simply rise up, pop and enter the atmosphere.

During the winter, though, the frozen lake traps the gas right at the surface, creating a little methane pocket. Bring in the pyromaniacs.

The fun starts around 1:17 in the Youtube video. After puncturing one of these methane pockets with a stick, the gas is quickly released into the air. Being a flammable gas, applying a little flame after the release creates a huge and intense fireball.

Look at the size of the fireball as it fires out from under the ground. That’s some awesome science.