A closer look
Decomposing whale carcasses will frequently explode with tremendous force if left stranded on a beach because the massive layers of blubber trap the volatile methane and hydrogen sulfide gases produced by the rotting internal organs. As the internal pressure builds to catastrophic levels, any slight disturbance or natural breach in the weakened skin can trigger a massive eruption of putrid viscera, sending chunks of rotting blubber flying into the air at lethal velocities. Coastal authorities have occasionally tried to manage this by preemptively detonating the carcasses with dynamite, which usually just results in raining chunks of putrified whale meat onto parked cars and horrified spectators. It is a fantastic reminder that nature refuses to let a multi-ton marine mammal rest in peace quietly, instead opting to turn its corpse into a giant, horrific biological water balloon designed to traumatize any beachgoer foolish enough to stand downwind
