Rocks spontaneously combust in woman's pocket.

Some of the beaches in California have geology that's rich in fossil fuels. I'm guessing that's what caused this.

[abcnews.go.com]

Iv'e heard of hot pants, but this appears to be something new.

Rock Currier
Crystals not pistols.

Hi,
could have been elemental, yellow phosphorus from an incendiary bomb, WW-II. Happens not so rarely on the Baltic and North Sea shores.
so long
Chris

CK:

I just heard an update on the story and they did find phosphorus on (or in?) the rocks.

The next act of the "pants-on-fire" drama is most likely a lawsuit against whoever owns that beach...

Probably the remnent of a flare or marker deployed during military training. Sometime when they ignite catrophically rather than as planned and scatter fragments that do not remain to be ingnited by the initial fuse charge. The friction from being in her pocket and possible static charge could easily ignite it. The compounds are mixed and poured with an adhesive material which sometimes give them the appearance of natural material (rocks) especially after some minor weathering. Another reason to not just pick thing up because they are pretty. Also don't lick your rcks either. On the west coast of the USA I would also think that it may wel have riden the Pacific current and this may be a present from the quake and tidal wave of last year in Japan.

Moral: If you beach comb get a bucket!

I used to work in a plant that made white phosphorus by extracting it from phosphate rock. Before it is purified, it is a reddish to yellow compound resembling wax, and it commonly coats objects like rocks. What ignites it, however, is when it dries out and is exposed to air....while immersed in water, as in this situation, it will not burn. But pure phosphorus burns on drying and exposure to air and emits a thick cloud of dense white smoke....even a very tiny amount will fill a room almost instantly with smoke so dense that visibilty is reduced almost to zero. When I first read about this event I knew right away what it was....but the origin of the phosphorus may remain a mystery.

Just be careful about what you collect!

William C. (CHRIS) van Laer: "I'm using the chicken to measure it..."

News update:

The ADAO (asbestos disease awareness organization) has had great success in eradicating asbestos related disease by causing California to close the benitoite gem mines and surrounding recreational areas. Having completed that effort, the people involved must finid new areas in which to focus their efforts. It has found a new battle to fight for the protection of our citizens and, especially, our children. We don't want our children bursting in flames if they come close to rocks, so, the ADAO will vigorously work with the California state government to introduce legislation to ensure that people do not live, vacation, or do any extended activities near where rocks may be present. Let's ban rocks for our safety and that of future generations!!!!

Sincerely
Dewey, Cheatem and Howe, Law Firm

Last year we actually found a signal canister lying in the sand at Side Bay on the west coast of Vancouver Island. We marked it on the beach and contacted the Canadian Military as directed on the outside of the canister when we got home. They were very interested in getting this thing back.A canister like this may have burst when it was deployed and the contents drifted back to shore. Also, I read something recently where an unexploded shell was found on a west coast beach. I believe it was in Oregon somewhere, but I could be mistaken. As far as the Japan quake goes I haven't found anything out of the ordinary yet, but I haven't been out there for a month or so. We have been talking about going out to San Josef Bay tomorrow, if I find anything I'll let you all know.
Gord

I wonder if she was a "liar, liar"??

Good evening, I wonder what she had in her pocket. A few years ago while filming loose gemstones, while holding a boulder opal, fire agate and a magnetized stone (can't remember the name right now) I could feel me hand getting warm. After a few minutes it became hotter. a short time later the stones became so hot I dropped them for safety reasons. the heat was so intense there was reddening and a slight impresstion on my palm and the fingertips that clutched the stones[. My friend said "I would not have believed that had I not witnessed what just happened to you".

My hand goes numb from time to time at the position I held those stones. Since I am an amature at this, does anyone have an explaination for what may have occured?/b]

Nerve damage caused by clutching stones too tightly for too long?
Clutching 3 different types of stones together is bad for the stones too - They will damage each other.

San Clemente is just north of Camp Pendleton, one of the Marine training facilities. Just about everything that can explode is exploded there, judging by the amount of racket we heard when we lived just south of Camp Pendleton. Perhaps some phosphorus bearing material got loose.