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Published Sep 30, 2020

Exploding Underwater Mountains, Boar Sex and Celery, Hidden History of Vaccination

This episode delves into the curious link between celery's aroma and boar pheromones, the explosive clearing of Ripple Rock's treacherous waters, and the forgotten pioneers of vaccination history, collectively illuminating surprising intersections of science, history, and culinary quirks.
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  • Historical Context

    The Ripple Rock explosion in British Columbia is a fascinating piece of history that many, including , find surprising due to its scale and impact. Ripple Rock, an underwater mountain with two peaks, posed a significant threat to navigation in the Inside Passage, a crucial shipping route between Vancouver Island and the mainland. The decision to blow it up was driven by the need to ensure safer passage for ships, as the rock had claimed numerous vessels and lives over the years 1. highlights the political and logistical challenges faced in addressing this hazard, noting that the explosion was one of the largest planned non-nuclear peacetime detonations ever 2.

    The hazard consisted of two underwater pinnacles extending to width nine and 20ft of the surface at low tide, joined by a saddle 70ft below the surface.

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    The explosion was a significant event in Canadian history, reflecting the complexities of balancing environmental concerns with economic and safety priorities.

       

    Execution and Impact

    The execution of the Ripple Rock explosion was a remarkable engineering feat, involving the use of 1,400 tons of explosives to obliterate the underwater mountain. describes how a network of tunnels was meticulously constructed to place the explosives, resulting in a massive blast that was broadcast live across Canada 3. The explosion not only cleared a major navigational hazard but also became a spectacle of its time, drawing significant public attention.

    When Ripple Rock blew at 09:31 a.m. on April 5 of 1958, the site was stupendous. 700,000 tons of rock and water erupted in a blast that reached a height of 1000ft.

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    Despite the immediate success in improving maritime safety, the environmental impact was substantial, with local ecosystems suffering significant damage. However, notes that over time, nature has likely healed, although the ecosystem may have changed 4.

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