Mine safety in coal mines, which in turn can initiate more extensive coal dust explosions. For this reason, rock dusts such as limestone dust are spread throughout coal mines to diminish the chances of coal dust explosions as well as to limit the extent of potential explosions, in a process known as rock dusting. Coal dust explosions can also begin independently of methane gas explosions. Frictional heat and sparks generated by mining equipment can ignite both methane gas and coal dust. For this reason, water is often used to cool rock-cutting sites. Miners utilize equipment strong enough to break through extremely hard
Fire rock air and gas to funnel the flame through. Fire rocks come in many different colors and range in sizes from a half-inch to an inch. Fire rock is noted for its ability to withstand high temperatures of direct heat for prolonged periods of time. Unlike river rock, which is non-porous and highly explosive when heated, fire rock is considered a porous substance that is capable of releasing heat through tiny holes in its outer layer. Damp fire rocks have been known to "pop" and throw pea sized pieces of rock as they heat. The moisture that is caught in the