Here is a concise summary of the provided text:
**Title:** The Hidden Danger of Dead Whales
**Key Points:**
1. **Explosion Risk:** Dead whales can explosively decompress, propelling their heavy guts up to 50 feet in the air and 160 feet away, posing a significant risk to bystanders.
2. **Cause:** Methane and other gases (e.g., carbon dioxide) build up during decomposition, which can't escape easily due to the whale's thick skin and blubber.
3. **Consequences:**
* Uncontrolled explosions can injure people and damage property.
* Even planned releases of pressure can go wrong if not executed carefully.
4. **Notable Incidents:**
* 2004 (Taiwan): A 60-ton sperm whale carcass exploded during transport, splattering bystanders and property.
* 1970 (Oregon, USA): Authorities' attempt to dynamite a beached whale led to a massive, uncontrolled explosion, causing widespread damage.
5. **Natural Process at Sea:** Whales that die at sea typically sink to the seafloor, providing a food source for various deep-sea creatures, supporting an ecosystem for up to 30 years.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text, numbered and in short sentences:
**Whale Biology**
1. The blue whale is the largest living being on Earth today.
2. The blue whale is the largest animal to have ever existed on the planet.
3. A blue whale's arteries are large enough for a person to walk through.
4. A blue whale's tongue alone weighs more than a full-grown elephant.
5. Whales have a thick layer of fat called blubber under their tough skin.
**Decomposition and Explosion**
6. After death, a whale's insides produce methane, a highly explosive gas.
7. Other gases, including carbon dioxide, are also released during decomposition.
8. Fermentation and putrefaction processes create a bloated carcass full of built-up gases.
9. The combination of tough skin, blubber, and gas buildup can lead to explosion.
10. If not released, the pressure can cause the carcass to explode, ejecting contents at up to 45 miles per hour.
**Safety and Handling**
11. Standing near a dead whale can be extremely dangerous due to explosion risk.
12. Climbing on or poking a beached whale carcass increases the danger of explosion.
13. Experts recommend moving beached whale carcasses back to sea to avoid explosions.
14. A controlled release of internal pressure can help prevent a large explosion.
**Specific Incidents**
15. In 2004, a 60-ton sperm whale carcass exploded while being transported in Taiwan, splattering bystanders and property.
16. In 1970, a sperm whale washed ashore in Oregon, USA, and was attempted to be disposed of with dynamite, resulting in a massive, uncontrolled explosion.
17. The 1970 Oregon explosion damaged cars and sprayed debris over an 800-foot radius.
**Whale Death at Sea**
18. When a whale dies at sea, its carcass typically sinks to the seafloor intact.
19. Deep-sea creatures, including sharks and hagfish, feed on the carcass, breaking it down over time.
20. The process of a whale carcass being consumed by sea creatures can sustain life for over 30 years.