Exploding Siberian Craters

I recently read an article in Discover Magazine (May/June 2022 issue) about exploding, or blow-out craters in Siberia. They are an entirely new feature of the Siberian landscape and provide a disquieting sign that the world is rapidly changing. The depressions, called ‘gas emission craters’ are another phenomenon that is occurring because of global warming. As the Siberian tundra (it’s permanently frozen layer of soil) defrosts, these enormous holes are appearing. They are releasing tons of built-up methane, like gigantic burbs. Climate change is causing that perma-frost to thaw. And that’s the problem. Three-D mapping and scientific research has added weight to the prevailing theory linking these bizarre holes in the tundra to increasing heat of our world.

“Climate change is a likely culprit, but scientists are still determining the reason for the frozen tundra’s cavernous phenomena.” ~Leslie Nemo

The holes don’t stay empty for long. Water quickly accumulates at the bottom of these massive holes, creating new lakes. They quickly increased in size while filling with water, as further melting happens and rock collapses. The newly-formed lake will soon be filled with hungry microbes as the surrounding soil releases frozen plants and animal carcasses.

Many (at least 20 since 2013) of the holes are found in the Yamal Peninsula permafrost, in north-west Siberia. Each crater has its own unique features – no two are alike. Still, with each explosion, a gray jumble of ice and chunks of soil are scattered (as far as 720 feet) around the crater’s edges. The newly exposed rims show signs of scorching. It gives us some idea of just how violently these holes are created.

Satellite images have revealed that the crater (known as GEC-1) was formed sometime in October of 2013. This specific hole is sixty-six feet wide and one hundred, seventeen feet deep. It was discovered by helicopter pilots passing overhead in 2014 and is about 26 miles from the Bovanenkovo gas field on the Yamal Peninsula. The Yamal field which is one of the largest natural gas fields on the planet.

Cryovolcanism is the name given for these really, really cold volcanic-like emissions. The land grows several meters taller over a three-to-five-year timespan and when the newly-formed hill, called a perennial heaving mound, eventually erupts, it is like a volcano. The explosion is pretty hot, yet, there isn’t molten lava because the land is frozen. Who knew our world was so magnificent?

Everything researchers know about how the craters form comes from working backwards — identifying a hole in the tundra and figuring out what led to its formation. The first clues were found in 2014 by scientists.

“Since then, researchers have studied the landscape surrounding each hole, examined the blasted bits to see what kind of material they unearthed, and even descended into the craters to scope out the interior.”(Nemo article)

“So far, researchers have gathered that the explosions come from gas, likely methane, building up in isolated pockets across the tundra. The pressure accumulates fast — the hills that precede each explosion swell— and when the strain is finally too much, the bubble explodes.”(Nemo article)

These exploding methane mounds are very close to natural gas fields. Perhaps you know how methane and natural gas react when mixed. Patrick_E_Jones  from Cheddar, predicts Siberia could become a flammable nightmare. Beyond Siberia, the increase of methane gasses released into the atmosphere is a greenhouse gas 20 times stronger than carbon dioxide, which will increase the planet’s temperature more quickly than anything we could do.

In addition, the defrosting permafrost is releasing ancient deadly diseases back into the atmosphere —But, that is another blog altogether.

All observable, natural phenomenon is highly interesting because it helps us understand our world better. These exciting and astounding geological events all lead to the question: How does that affect humans? And we are seeing the reverse—How do we affect geological events, or better—how do we create geological events?

The Siberian exploding craters are just one of the many ways we see our world changing because of global warming. Whether you subscribe to human causes or ‘that’s the natural order’ theory, we know climate, animals, vegetation and water are being dramatically changed. I believe it is because of global warming.  Whatever we can do to slow this dramatic change might save our children and children’s children from devastation.

If you thought you could do something about it, I wonder what it would be.  I recycle, reduce, reuse, yet still probably use many more resources than is good for the planet.

Research:

• Massive Craters in Siberia Are Exploding Into Existence. What’s Causing Them? By Leslie Nemo, Jan 27, 2021 9:00 AM  Discover Magazine, https://www.discovermagazine.com/environment/massive-craters-in-siberia-are-exploding-into-existence-whats-causing-them
• The mystery of Siberia’s exploding craters  By Richard Gray, 30th November 2020,  BC, at: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201130-climate-change-the-mystery-of-siberias-explosive-craters
• Scientist explains how massive Siberian  craters are formed, by CNN Space + Science by
• Siberia’s Newest Exploding Crater Has Been Mapped in 3D By George Dvorsky. Feb. 17, 2021, at: https://gizmodo.com/siberia-s-newest-exploding-crater-has-been-mapped-in-3d-1846288021

Videos about this phenomenon:

Scientist explains how massive Siberian craters are formed. by CNN

https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2021/03/08/siberia-craters-permafrost-gray-intl-ldn-vpx.cnn

The mystery of Siberia’s exploding craters – BBC REEL, .026/7:19

The exploding craters of Siberia – Cheddar Explores on Youtube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCbfzmvlFcw

Siberia’s Newest Exploding Crater Has Been Mapped in 3D, By George Dvorsky,

2/17/21 1:22PM, at: https://gizmodo.com/siberia-s-newest-exploding-crater-has-been-mapped-in-3d-1846288021