A scenario for nuclear energy release in metals produced through resonant direct nuclear reactions of low-energy “virtual” dineutrons and trineutrons is proposed. These reactions produce heat, tritium, and only low levels of penetrating radiations. The proposed scenario is shown to be consistent with some detailed data from “cold fusion” experiments. Furthermore, the possible connection of the proposed scenario with some other previously recognized, but anomalous, nuclear observations of geophysical interest is suggested.