Exploding Craters in Siberia: Norwegian Scientists Suggest New Explanation
Norwegian scientists suggested a new explanation of the causes of huge exploding craters discovered in the eternal permafrost of Siberia. These craters, first noticed in 2012, have surprising dimensions, with a depth of approximately 50 meters and a width of about 20 meters. They are also able to throw fragments high into the sky.
Currently, eight of these craters have been discovered, all of which are located within the Yamal Peninsula in the north of Western Siberia and the Gydan Peninsula in the north of the West Siberian Plain.
According to new research, the cause of these explosions may be the release of hot natural gas from underground reserves. This explains why the craters only appear in certain areas of Siberia that are rich in natural gas.
Helga Helland, the main author of the study and a professor of ecological geonus at the Norwegian University of Oslo, suggests that the weakening of permafrost due to climate change leads to these explosions.
Scientists previously believed that the craters formed due to methane seeping out of the permafrost itself, and there were several reasons to support this hypothesis. For example, the same process also gives rise to thermokarst lakes, which are prone to explode and catch fire.
However, Helland and his colleagues propose an alternative mechanism: hot natural gas rises through geological faults and heats up the permafrost from below, making it more susceptible to collapse. This creates ideal conditions for a sudden release of gas, resulting in either a powerful explosion or the collapse of the rock.
Scientists speculate that these craters could form and disappear,