Thanks Paul,

Yes, frighteningly, it does make sense; but I still think the scales--both time and size--make any effect debatable.
Did you see my post on Crustal Heating?
http://www.scienceagogo.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=25277#Post25277
...be sure to scroll down within the first quote box, to see their conclusions.
===

btw, here is what I was talking about with the "butterfly" shape: Polynya
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polynya
...well, sorta like....

~ smile

Pyrolysis creates reduced carbon! ...Time for the next step in our evolutionary symbiosis with fire.