Nature Shock Season 2 Episode 4 Whale That Blew Up in the Street

Whale That Blew Up in the Street is the fourth episode of the second season of Nature Shock, a series that explores extraordinary events in the natural world and their impact on human society.

The episode focuses on a bizarre incident that occurred in the town of Florence, Oregon in November 1970. A dead sperm whale washed up on the shore and local authorities decided to dispose of it by detonating dynamite underneath the carcass. The plan was to blast the whale into small pieces that would be scavenged by seagulls and other wildlife. However, things did not go as planned and the resulting explosion was a catastrophic failure.

The episode begins with a reconstruction of the event, based on eyewitness accounts and footage from news archives. Viewers are transported to the beach where the whale lies, already a bloated and malodorous mass. We see the preparations for the explosion, as volunteers dig a hole in the sand and pack dynamite sticks around the whale's body. The tension builds as the countdown begins and the spectators are ordered to retreat to a safe distance.

Then, the explosion occurs - but instead of neatly dispersing the whale's remains, it sends chunks of blubber and flesh flying through the air, some as far as half a mile away. The camera captures the stunned reactions of the onlookers as they realize what has happened. The narrator notes that the scene resembles a war zone, with debris scattered over a wide area.

The aftermath of the explosion is also depicted, as workers struggle to clean up the mess and dispose of the remaining whale parts. This is no easy task, as the foul smell of the decaying remains attracts swarms of seagulls, which make a nuisance of themselves by attacking the workers and stealing food meant for the cleanup crew. The episode explains the science behind why the explosion went so awry, using interviews with experts in marine biology and explosives.

The second part of the episode delves into the wider implications of the event, both in terms of its effect on the town of Florence and its significance in the history of environmentalism. Interviews with locals who were present that day reveal how the event traumatized the community and left a lasting impact. We hear from a woman who was hit by a flying piece of whale flesh and suffered injuries, as well as a man who lost his prized car to the onslaught of blubber. These anecdotes give a human face to the bizarre spectacle of the exploding whale.

The episode also explores how the event was received in the media and became a cultural phenomenon, with news reports and even novelty songs being produced about the "whale explosion." However, as the show points out, the incident had a more serious impact on public awareness of environmental issues. It was one of the first times that the effects of human activity on the natural world had been so vividly displayed, and it helped to spur the modern environmental movement.

The episode concludes with a reflection on the continuing relevance of the exploding whale, fifty years after the event. Footage from a recent event in Florence, where locals gathered to commemorate the anniversary and honor the legacy of the whale, highlights the enduring fascination and fascination with this bizarre moment in history. The episode leaves viewers with a sense of awe at the power of nature and the impact it can have on our lives.