Toxic Junction: January 2014

A camera captured the moment a sperm whale carcass, which washed up in the Faroe Islands, exploded. The clip, which was shown of Faroese Television, has since gone viral, racking up millions of hits on YouTube alone. The dead whale had been lying on the beach for two days, after getting stuck in the waters between two islands, when marine biologist Bjarni Mikkelsen was sent to cut it open. As he made incisions in the whale's side the carcass exploded due to a build up of methane gas from the decomposition creating a loud sound and releasing a pungent smell. It is reported that a local museum will collect the skelton and put it on display. Report by Laurie Blake.