- Manga
- Anime
- Before the Fall manga
There have long been whispers about it. They say that the King of the Titans dug giant holes on Paradis and stockpiled treasures created by the power of the Titans... burning stones and glowing stones. | ||
— Zeke Yeager to Kiyomi[1] |
Iceburst stone (氷爆石 Hyō baku seki?) is a mysterious resource that enables the vertical maneuvering equipment to function. They are only found on Paradis Island.[2]
Characteristics
The caverns found beneath the factory city were once volcanic calderas. As temperatures beneath the earth decreased with volcanic activity ceasing, the natural gases within the caverns solidified at high pressures, becoming something like icy stones. When exposed to temperatures greater than the freezing temperatures in the caverns where the stones are found, the stones rapidly vaporize. This creates a small, bursting explosion from which these stones get their name.[3]
According to Zeke Yeager, iceburst stones were created using the power of the Titans and are only found on Paradis Island, deposited there long ago in gigantic holes by the King of the Titans. As a result, they are extremely rare and valuable. The people of Paradis are ignorant of how valuable the stones would be to the outside world. He claims that the mineral can make a struggling nation like Hizuru prosper.[2]
Applications
Due to the practicality of such amounts of gas coming naturally in compact, solid forms, the iceburst stones are used as the source of gas which powers vertical maneuvering equipment. They are placed into canisters made from iron bamboo for storage, and when heated they release the gas necessary to make proper use of the equipment. However, improper treatment or use of the gas yielded from iceburst stones can be fatal.[4]
The people of Hizuru were able to produce a flying boat by using the iceburst stone as fuel.[5]
Trivia
- The description of iceburst stone and its physical formation bear a striking resemblance to methane clathrate, also known as methane ice.
References
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 107 (p. 19)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 107 (p. 18-19)
- ↑ Attack on Titan Guidebook (p. 238 & 239)
- ↑ Attack on Titan Guidebook (p. 239)
- ↑ Attack on Titan manga: Chapter 109 (p. 8)