I appreciate that each section of the article has supporting references. About zombie fires, coal seam fires can burn for 100+ years even sparking fires above ground [0]. This is a scientific discipline that appears to have a promising future due to a warming climate and more people living in the wildland/urban frontier. Probably not a bad career area to get into and may even be somewhat AI-disruption resistant career longevity-wise.

[0] https://www.cpr.org/2024/11/22/fighting-a-decades-old-underg...