So, about that molten metal...

[Dead_Parrot]

Disclosure: FWIW, I tend to lean towards LIHOP, but with lots of awkward questions. I've been lurking around here trying to find answers of late, but have put off posting (let's face it, it can get nasty in here).

The questions are: If it was generated by explosive charges, why so much? By most accounts there seems to have been be tons of the stuff, but it strikes me explosively generating that much should have spread the WTC over half of Manhattan.

Secondly, if it was generated by explosive charges, are there any accounts of this pooling effect from "normal" demolitions? There have been enough of them for this to have happened before, surely.

And thirdly, or course, if it wasn't generated by by explosive charges, where the fuck did it come from? I'm not buying office fires or friction either.

Bonus question: Was it found in the remains of both towers, or just one?

Fire when ready. :)

[mirandapriestly]

1. Welcome to the Penthouse !

The idea is that thermite caused the heat which lead to the molten metal. It is very simple stuff, just iron oxide and powdered aluminum, (& sulfur) which creates a reaction which generates a lot of heat. It would not have been the explosives per se that caused the molten material. If you are really interested here are two sites by Dr Jones from BYU. You can link on his paper or video about the world trade center collapse. They're not that long.

video presentation complete with thermite demonstration:
http://www.cerebellum.tv/fvideo/BYU.php

His paper, which is a great read:
http://www.physics.byu.edu/research/energy/htm7.html

[Dead_Parrot]

2. Thanks MP...

...I'd seen the paper (must have missed the bit about metal under the 3 buildings :dunce:) but not the video.
I still don't get how the stuff got to gather in pools, though... :shrug:

[StealthyDragon]

3. I still don't get how the stuff got to gather in pools, though...

apparently they used enough thermate for this pooling to occur.

Although, something else may have also been added. Just as cover.

The deafening quiet by Congress suggests a totally different version of that day was fed to them.