noun
- Poisonous gases, especially carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, that remain in a coal mine after an explosion or fire.
Usage: mining; plural form; singular is 'afterdamp'; technical term
Examples
- Miners had to wait for the afterdamps to clear before entering the shaft.
- The afterdamps from the explosion posed a serious danger to rescue workers.
- Detection equipment was used to monitor afterdamps in the affected mine.
- Ventilation systems were activated to disperse the afterdamps quickly.
- Historical mining disasters were often worsened by the presence of afterdamps.