The end result being insufficient reservoir construction and fermentation properties of the molasses. After an unusual warm front, the molasses in the vat had warmed and a new shipment of cold molasses had started the fermentation reaction. In the January 15, 1919 APS Physics article: Physics and the Boston Molasses Flood, they state: “Several factors contributed to the bursting of the reservoir. Some have speculated that the fermentation process caused carbon dioxide to build up inside the vat, until its rivets burst. Molasses wasn't the only reason, as the tank wasn't checked before filling, the steel plates were too thin, etc. These elements led to the inevitable outburst. It was suspected from the day the steel plates were shipped to Boston until the day it happened. It's white