The idea of whale carcasses exploding, often fueled by viral videos, captures public fascination. While it seems fantastical, this phenomenon is rooted in real biological processes. Understanding the science reveals why such an event can occur.
The Process of Decomposition and Gas Buildup
When a whale dies, its body begins to decompose, driven by bacteria, especially those in its gut. These microorganisms break down tissues in an anaerobic environment—one lacking oxygen. As they metabolize, they produce gases like methane, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and ammonia.
These gases accumulate within the whale’s internal cavities. The whale’s thick skin and blubber trap these gases, preventing escape. This containment builds significant internal pressure, causing the carcass to bloat, sometimes to twice its normal size. Gas production and pressure increase in warmer environments or with heat.
What Happens When a Carcass Bursts
If internal gas pressure becomes too great for the whale’s tough skin, the carcass can rupture. This results in a sudden, forceful expulsion of gases, internal organs and fluids. The release is visually dramatic and accompanied by a strong, unpleasant odor from decomposition.
While natural ruptures are often gradual, significant “explosions” occur, especially with human intervention like cutting the carcass, which suddenly releases pressure. For example, a 2004 incident in Taiwan involved a sperm whale carcass bursting in an urban area during transport, showering its surroundings with debris. Such events pose dangers to individuals or property due to forceful debris ejection and potential contact with harmful bacteria.
Managing Deceased Whales
Dealing with deceased whales, especially those stranded on beaches, presents significant challenges for authorities like coastal management and marine biology departments. One common strategy is towing the carcass out to sea for natural decomposition. This provides a valuable nutrient source for marine ecosystems. However, towing is not always feasible for very large whales or if there’s a risk of the carcass drifting back to shore or into shipping lanes.
Another approach is burying the whale on the beach, effective for smaller carcasses or in remote areas. This contains smell and attracts fewer scavengers. However, burial is a slow process, taking months to a year for full decomposition, and raises concerns about water table leakage or attracting sharks.
Controlled demolition using explosives has been attempted in rare and controversial cases, such as the 1970 Oregon incident. This often scatters large, malodorous blubber over a wide area, complicating cleanup. Ultimately, managing a deceased whale depends on factors including size, location, public safety, environmental impact, and available resources.