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Will-o'-the-Wisp: Marsh Gas Ignition

Interactive 2D simulation of decomposing marsh organic matter releasing methane and pyrophoric diphosphane, spontaneously igniting into the drifting pale blue-green flames believed to explain the will-o'-the-wisp phenomenon.

Chemistry & Materials2DEasy60 FPS📱 Mobile-adapted⇄ 3D version

This simulation models the leading scientific explanation for the will-o'-the-wisp: anaerobic decomposition in a marsh releases methane along with trace, pyrophoric diphosphane, and when a rising gas pocket's diphosphane concentration is high enough it spontaneously ignites on contact with air, briefly setting the surrounding methane alight as a pale blue-green flame that flickers and drifts with the breeze before burning out. Adjust decomposition rate, diphosphane concentration and air current to see how gas production, ignition reliability and wisp drift respond.

⚙ Under the hood

Decomposing marsh organic matter releases methane and trace pyrophoric diphosphane, which spontaneously ignites into the drifting pale blue-green flames thought to explain the will-o'-the-wisp phenomenon.

ChemistryCombustionHalloween

2D · HTML5 Canvas 2D · 60 FPS target · runs fully client-side, no install