Why Do Dead Whales Explode? Experts Warn People to Run If They See This on the Beach

Officials on the Swedish island of Öland have given warnings to citizens and tourists not to come anywhere close to the dead body of a beached whale which "may possibly explode".

Carcass of a Humpback Whale

Since last week, the humpback whale carcass has been trapped close to the southeast of the island, not too far from the small town of Mörbylånga. On Wednesday morning, the local municipality gave a strong warning to locals persuading them not to go into the water and get close to the carcass "under any circumstances".

"There have been reports that people have been staying close to the body of the dead whale that has drifted ashore on south-eastern Öland," this statement was read on Tuesday. "This is risky for the individual ... [and] may lead to harm".

Since the news of the stranded whale has been made known last week, officials of Mörbylånga have been collecting samples to discover how to deal with the dead body. The environmental manager in Mörbylånga municipality, Staffan Åsén said: "When the officials work at the whale, they work with protective equipment and helmets." He added that the whale is presently fermenting because of the decomposition process and may explode.

When Large Whales Dies

These are substantial forces that should not be disregarded. Presently, the whale is trapped just 40 metres from the shore which is outside the town, having inhabitants of less than 2,000. When large whales pass away, one of these two things can occur: Either their bodies sink to the bottom of the ocean and go on to assist smaller life forms, or their bodies can wash up somewhere in the world on some accidental beach.

The initial case is clearly the most preferred, but sometimes, the second case happens - at times in large quantities. When a dead whale becomes beached, decomposition starts almost instantly. The whale's body gasses start to bloat the carcass, and the heat of the sunlight only aggravates this horrifying process.

Effect of an Explosion

As the expansion of gasses takes place in the dead whale's body, the only obstacle between it and the outside world becomes the skin of the whale, and the skin will give at some point. Beachgoers are always urged to keep away from, and not touch, a dead beached whale. This is due to the fact that when the gaseous pressure inside the whale accumulates to risky levels, it can have 'explosive' effects.

Even the slightest prod can disrupt the delicate obstacle between those trapped gasses and the individual, and if it explodes close to you, it can lead to devastating or fatal injuries.

Has a beached whale ever been saved? Over 100 whales trapped on a Sri Lankan beach have been taken into the sea in an overnight rescue operation. One dolphin, three pilot whales passed away due to their injuries following the mass beaching close to the city of Panadura, south of the capital Colombo.

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