White smoke rising from underground in Morocco causes panic among residents

Arab Weather - The Tinkarf region in the Azilal region in Morocco witnessed a mysterious case that sparked widespread controversy, according to local media.

Thick white smoke was observed continuously rising from the ground, which prompted the authorities to form specialized committees to investigate the source and causes of this smoke.

Residents of the area say smoke has been rising from the same location for several days. Despite efforts by a committee comprising representatives of local authorities and the Water and Forestry Administration to investigate the situation, the phenomenon remains a mystery.

Videos have also spread across social media documenting the moments of smoke rising from cracks in the ground, which has raised concerns among shepherds who regularly visit the area, fearing possible negative effects on pastures and the local environment.

Mysterious cracks, smoke and fires burning in the bowels of the lands of the village of #Tankarf near #Azilal in #Morocco. The reason is still unknown until now.. What's the story? pic.twitter.com/rPQo83OyLg

— blinx (@BlinxNow) August 20, 2024

Reasons for this phenomenon according to experts

In an effort to provide a scientific explanation for the phenomenon, far from local speculation, the media contacted Nasreddine El Youbi, an expert at the National Center for Scientific and Technical Research and a professor at the Faculty of Sciences of Semlalia in Marrakech. El Youbi confirmed that the phenomenon is ultimately natural, noting that Morocco has witnessed similar incidents in the past, such as the one that occurred in the Fez Sais region during the 1980s.

Al-Youbi explained that there are two possibilities to explain the phenomenon.

• The first is that the smoke could be coming from the burning of decaying peat plants , known as “turps” in French. These plants turn into charcoal-like organic matter over time, and drying out makes them easier to ignite.
• As for the second possibility, Al-Yubi pointed out the possibility of the existence of hot water springs known scientifically as “Source hydrothermale,” such as those found in Ain Moulay Yacoub, where the rising smoke is the result of the heat of the internal water.

Contrary to what some residents of Tinkarf believe, Al-Youbi denied that the phenomenon was the result of awakened volcanic activity, stressing that all hypotheses require scientific field study, which is what he intends to do in cooperation with other researchers.

In a similar vein, Al-Youbi referred to a previous incident in the Fez Sais basin, where it was believed that the smoke was caused by volcanic activity, but a French scientific team proved that the temperatures of the limestone layers were normal. He also drew attention to the geological similarity between the regions of Tinkarf and Fez Sais, given the presence of mountains close to the plains.

It is noteworthy that the media had covered a similar incident last March in Douar Sidi Ibrahim in the province of Fakih Ben Salah, where smoke was emitted from underground holes accompanied by foul odors, which raised concerns among residents and opened the door to various interpretations, similar to those currently being raised in Tinkarf.

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