Centralia meaning

The meaning of Centralia can be summed up as a abandoned town perpetually burning underground due to a coal mine fire.


Centralia definitions

Word backwards ailartneC
Part of speech Centralia is a proper noun.
Syllabic division Cen-tral-ia
Plural Centralias
Total letters 9
Vogais (3) e,a,i
Consonants (5) c,n,t,r,l

Centralia is a small borough in Pennsylvania that has gained notoriety for a long-standing underground coal fire that has been burning since 1962, making it one of the longest-burning coal fires in history. The fire started in an abandoned coal mine beneath the town and has been burning ever since, causing most of the town's residents to relocate.

History of Centralia

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Centralia was a thriving coal mining town with a population of over 2,700 residents. However, as the coal industry declined, the population dwindled, leading to the mine's abandonment. The coal fire is believed to have started when the town council set fire to the town's landfill, located in an abandoned strip mine, in an attempt to clean it up.

Consequences of the Coal Fire

The coal fire beneath Centralia has had serious consequences for the town and its residents. Toxic gases have been released into the air, and the ground beneath Centralia has become unstable, causing huge cracks to form in the ground. Several homes have been demolished due to the risk of sinkholes, and the town's infrastructure has been severely compromised.

Government Response

Over the years, the government has taken various measures to address the issue, including relocating residents, extinguishing the fire in some areas, and purchasing properties in the affected area. However, the fire continues to burn underground, and efforts to completely extinguish it have been unsuccessful.

Current Status

Today, Centralia is mostly abandoned, with only a handful of residents remaining. The town's streets are empty and overgrown, and most of the buildings have been demolished. Visitors can still see traces of the fire, such as smoke rising from the ground and the remnants of the town's infrastructure. Centralia has become a popular tourist attraction for those interested in the town's eerie and apocalyptic atmosphere.


Centralia Examples

  1. Centralia is a borough in Pennsylvania that has been abandoned due to an underground mine fire.
  2. Many tourists visit Centralia to see the smoke rising from the ground.
  3. The Centralia mine fire has been burning since 1962.
  4. Centralia used to be a bustling coal-mining town.
  5. The ghost town of Centralia is now mostly empty with only a few residents remaining.
  6. Despite the dangers, some people still explore Centralia's abandoned streets.
  7. Centralia's story has inspired books, movies, and documentaries.
  8. The Centralia mine fire is one of the longest-lasting and most serious coal seam fires in the United States.
  9. Local authorities have tried to put out the fire in Centralia, but it continues to burn underground.
  10. Centralia's history serves as a cautionary tale about the environmental risks of coal mining.


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  • Updated 24/04/2024 - 01:18:08