A deceased whale—likely a humpback—releases gas for the final time, violently expelling its rotting internal organs into the sea.

These dramatic explosions are unique to whales, as most decomposing animals can't contain the buildup of internal gases after death. In whales, methane accumulates as their organs break down, trapped by thick muscle and layers of blubber.

The process is intensified because a whale’s exterior often decomposes more slowly than its interior, especially in cold ocean waters—creating the perfect conditions for an eventual rupture. Once the internal pressure reaches a critical point, the gas finds the weakest spot to escape, leading to a spectacular detonation.

The only way to prevent such an explosion is to perforate the whale’s thick skin in advance—no easy task in the open ocean.

[📹 ozzymansvideolicensing]