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Dozens of new craters suspected in northern Russia

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23 February 2015

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B1 - famous Yamal hole in 30 kilometres from Bovanenkovo, spotted in 2014 by helicopter pilots. Pictures: Marya Zulinova, Yamal regional government's press service

Respected Moscow scientist Professor Vasily Bogoyavlensky has called for 'urgent' investigation of the new phenomenon amid safety fears.

Until now, only three large craters were known about in northern Russia with several scientific sources speculating last year that heating from above the surface due to unusually warm climatic conditions, and from below, due to geological fault lines, led to a huge release of gas hydrates, so causing the formation of these craters in Arctic regions. 

Two of the newly-discovered large craters - also known as funnels to scientists - have turned into lakes, revealed Professor Bogoyavlensky, deputy director of the Moscow-based Oil and Gas Research Institute, part of the Russian Academy of Sciences. 

Examination using satellite images has helped Russian experts understand that the craters are more widespread than was first realised, with one large hole surrounded by as many as 20 mini-craters, The Siberian Times can reveal.

Map of Arctic craters

Four arctic craters: B1 - famous Yamal hole in 30 kilometres from Bovanenkovo, B2 - recently detected crater in 10 kilometres to the south from Bovanenkovo, B3 - crater located in 90 kilometres from Antipayuta village, B4 - crater located near Nosok village, on the north of Krasnoyarsk region, near Taimyr Peninsula. Picture: Vasily Bogoyavlensky

'We know now of seven craters in the Arctic area,' he said. 'Five are directly on the Yamal peninsula, one in Yamal Autonomous district, and one is on the north of the Krasnoyarsk region, near the Taimyr peninsula. 

'We have exact locations for only four of them. The other three were spotted by reindeer herders. But I am sure that there are more craters on Yamal, we just need to search for them. 

'I would compare this with mushrooms: when you find one mushroom, be sure there are few more around. I suppose there could be 20 to 30 craters more.'

He is anxious to investigate the craters further because of serious concerns for safety in these regions.

The study of satellite images showed that near the famous hole, located in 30 kilometres from Bovanenkovo are two potentially dangerous objects, where the gas emission can occur at any moment.

Yamal hole

Satellite image of the site before the forming of the Yamal hole (B1). K1 and the red outline show the hillock (pingo) formed before the gas emission. Yellow outlines show the potentially dangerous objects. Picture: Vasily Bogoyavlensky

He warned: 'These objects need to be studied, but it is rather dangerous for the researchers. We know that there can occur a series of gas emissions over an extended period of time, but we do not know exactly when they might happen.

'For example, you all remember the magnificent shots of the Yamal crater in winter, made during the latest expedition in Novomber 2014. But do you know that Vladimir Pushkarev, director of the Russian Centre of Arctic Exploration, was the first man in the world who went down the crater of gas emission? 

'More than this, it was very risky, because no one could guarantee there would not be new emissions.'

Professor Bogoyavlensky told The Siberian Times: 'One of the most interesting objects here is the crater that we mark as B2, located 10 kilometres to the south of Bovanenkovo. On the satellite image you can see that it is one big lake surrounded by more than 20 small craters filled with water. 

'Studying the satellite images we found out that initially there were no craters nor a lake. Some craters appeared, then more. Then, I suppose that the craters filled with water and turned to several lakes, then merged into one large lake, 50 by 100 metres in diameter. 

'This big lake is surrounded by the network of  more than 20 'baby' craters now filled with water and I suppose that new ones could appear last summer or even now. We now counting them and making a catalogue. Some of them are very small, no more than 2 metres in diameter.'

Lake and small craters around

Satellite images showing pingo before the gas emission on the object B2 (top). Lake formed here at the place of the number of craters and the network of more than 20 'baby' craters around (bottom). Picture: Vasily Bogoyavlensky

'We have not been at the spot yet,' he said. 'Probably some local reindeer herders were there, but so far no scientists.'

He explained: 'After studying this object I am pretty sure that there was a series of gas emissions over an extended period of time. Sadly, we do not know, when exactly these emissions occur, i.e. mostly in summer, or in winter too. We see only the results of this emissions.'

The object B2 is now attracting special attention from the researchers as they seek to understand and explain the phenomenon. This is only 10km from Bovanenkovo, a major gas field, developed by Gazprom, in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. Yet older satellite images do not show the existence of a lake, nor any craters, in this location. 

Not only the new craters constantly forming on Yamal show that the process of gas emission is ongoing actively.

Professor Bogoyavlensky shows the picture of one of the Yamal lakes, taken by him from the helicopter and points on the whitish haze on its surface. 

Lake with degassation

Yamal lake with traces of gas emissions. Picture: Vasily Bogoyavlensky

He commented: 'This haze that you see on the surface shows that gas seeps that go from the bottom of the lake to the surface. We call this process 'degassing'. 

'We do not know, if there was a crater previously and then turned to lake, or the lake formed during some other process. More important is that the gases from within are actively seeping through this lake.

'Degassing was revealed on the territory of Yamal Autonomous District about 45 years ago, but now we think that it can give us some clues about the formation of the craters and gas emissions. Anyway, we must research this phenomenon urgently, to prevent possible disasters.'

Professor Bogoyavlensky stressed: 'For now, we can speak only about the results of our work in the laboratory, using the images from space. 

'No one knows what is happening in these craters at the moment. We plan a new expedition. Also we want to put not less than four seismic stations in Yamal district, so they can fix small earthquakes, that occur when the crater appears. 

'In two cases locals told us that they felt earth tremors. The nearest seismic station was yet too far to register these tremors.

View of the crater in Antipayuta


Big hole on Taymyr near Nosok

Crater B3 located in 90 kilometres from Antipayuta village, Yamal district (top). Crater B4 located near Nosok village, on the north of Krasnoyarsk region, near Taimyr Peninsula. Pictures: Local residents

'I think that at the moment we know enough about the crater B1. There were several expeditions, we took probes and made measurements. I believe that we need to visit the other craters, namely B2, B3 and B4, and then visit the rest three craters, when we will know their exact location. It will give us more information and will bring us closer to understanding the phenomenon.'

He urged: 'It is important not to scare people, but to understand that it is a very serious problem and we must research this.'

In an article for Drilling and Oil magazine, Professor Bogoyavlensky said the parapet of these craters suggests an underground explosion.

'The absence of charred rock and traces of  significant erosion due to possible water leaks speaks in favour of mighty eruption (pneumatic exhaust) of gas from a shallow underground reservoir, which left no traces on soil which contained a high percentage of ice,' he wrote. 

'In other words, it was a gas-explosive mechanism that worked there. A concentration of 5-to-16% of methane is explosive. The most explosive concentration is 9.5%.'

Yamal crater in summer


Yamal crater in summer

'The parapet of these craters suggests an underground explosion.' Pictures of Yamal crater taken by Vasily Bogoyavlensky

Gas probably concentrated underground in a cavity 'which formed due to the gradual melting of buried ice'. Then 'gas was replacing ice and water'.

'Years of experience has shown that gas emissions can cause serious damage to drilling rigs, oil and gas fields and offshore pipelines,' he said. 'Yamal craters are inherently similar to pockmarks. 

'We cannot rule out new gas emissions in the Arctic and in some cases they can ignite.'

This was possible in the case of the crater found at Antipayuta, on the Yamal peninsula. 

'The Antipayuta residents told how they saw some flash. Probably the gas ignited when appeared the crater B4, near Taimyr peninsula. This shows us, that such explosion could be rather dangerous and destructive. 

'We need to answer now the basic questions: what areas and under what conditions are the most dangerous? These questions are important for safe operation of the northern cities and infrastructure of oil and gas complexes.'

Exclusive new pictures INSIDE mystery Siberian crater


Exclusive new pictures INSIDE mystery Siberian crater


Exclusive new pictures INSIDE mystery Siberian crater


Exclusive new pictures INSIDE mystery Siberian crater


Exclusive new pictures INSIDE mystery Siberian crater


Exclusive new pictures INSIDE mystery Siberian crater

The latest expedition to Yamal crater was initiated by the Russian Centre of Arctic Exploration in early November 2014. The researchers were first in the world who went down the crater of gas emission. Pictures: Vladimir Pushkarev/Russian Centre of Arctic Exploration 

Pingos are mounds with an ice core found in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions.

They can reach up to 70 metres (230 ft) in height and up to 600 m (2,000 ft) in diameter. They usually appear when groundwaters penetrate between permafrost and the top layer, which melts in summer season. They usually form in drained lakes or river channels. 

However, gas is not a factor in their creation. 

See previous stories on the craters:

Large crater appears at the 'end of the world'

First pictures from inside the 'crater at the end of the world'

Now two NEW large holes appear in Siberia

Foreign scientists welcome to join research into Siberia's mysterious giant holes 

Siberian exploding holes 'are the key to Bermuda Triangle'

Exclusive new pictures INSIDE Siberian crater

Now Siberian craters could provide energy of future

How global warming could turn Siberia into a giant crater 'time bomb'

Comments (75)

Is there any evidence of symmetrical magnetic force in earth's core shifting, as a cause for the clusters of holes? The earth has been wobbling from it's axis. Could the holes be evidence of the wobble stalling off of axis, long enough to form a funnel of centrifugal energy off of it's known axis? Gas may form in the center as heavier materials crumble and settle toward the outside edge of the spinning new upper axis? The Arctic Circle is a hole, with water in it. If a new Arctic Circle forms in the area of the new holes, where would the new South Pole be located? I suspect that the Mediteranean Sea was formed, when the Earth's magnetic flux shifted causing a long tear near Earth's equator. There was a historical explosion in Siberia, that may have caused a massive snow melt to flow along mountain ranges into the Black Sea which then filled the Mediterranean? The rain from the ash clouds may have been Noah's flood, dissolving weathered rock as the water levels rose. Saudi Arabia may be the resulting sand bar? How do the dates of these events compare?
Sharon Harrell, United States
08/03/2015 10:43
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I suggest that the 'experts' contact Wallace Thornhill after watching his video lecture on how these types of features are created. http://youtu.be/ZoO2nV--3pQ I think that what we are seeing in Siberia is proof of the concept he describes.
Chris LaRpse, Kansas City, USA
05/03/2015 13:11
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In 2010, four years *before* these craters were formed, I gave a talk in Berkeley describing them in detail. [It's long, but if interested you can find it at http://www.ggg999.org/2010/video/Williams.m4v ] I also discuss the potential warming they might precipitate and the ramifications.
Kerry, Alaska
05/03/2015 08:36
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After watching the Yamal Crater video (not a geologist), here’s what I know (observe); The hole with bottom side vent, smooth walls with exception of unique group pattern pot marks around below the top rim angled opposite the vent hole below. Most pot mark details (in video) also appear with same angular detent (at strike point). The details say, that if I took a hole (excluding how hole got there) and rigged a blower nozzle as bottom side vent, blew a large volume of air (over a duration), nearly the exact features would be exhibited as debris is blown out at high pressure striking the walls in a distinct swirl patter directed by the air flow and that air flow also smoothing the walls. Only know few Russian words for greetings but it seemed in the video shots that was being explained (but not sure of that). So most likely, geo gas venting. Cheers
David Mitchell, USA
04/03/2015 09:27
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I'm going for the Rabbit Holes...
Susan, Anytown, USA
03/03/2015 21:52
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Lighting striking methane deposits.
Richard , boulder creek, usa
03/03/2015 12:59
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Where is all the dirt that came out of the holes ? There is an awful lot missing. It did not just disappear.
Debbie, Vacaville, U.S.A
03/03/2015 06:36
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I have not seen anyone blaming this on Putin yet or Putin blaming this on Western collaborators so it must be a natural event after all. Also, I have not read anything about any archeologists being involved in this. There must be a real treasure trove of well-preserved bits and pieces in the ice and rock that has been spewed from these craters.
Arlo Mack, Canada
03/03/2015 02:19
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They were cause by mini black holes from the large hadron collider at CERN!
Bob, Ohio
01/03/2015 16:59
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Gas...sure next you'll be telling us it was a weather balloon.I'm sick and tired of scientist presenting theories a fact if anyone disagrees with them then they are shunned.
No More Obaminations, USA
01/03/2015 08:47
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The big fear with these craters is that there is enough permafrost-stored methane in Siberia, to trigger a seabed clathrate release. Which would warm the planet by 25C killing all life. Think about it, anywhere where it gets to 40C now, will be at 65C. Your body will shutdown and you'll die. That will kill off all life at the equator on down to areas where the temperature never gets above 30C. The colder areas will get warmer, but would be survivable, however all the plant life won't be able to cope with the rapid change and will die off. In theory food could be grown in temperature stabilised bunkers in Antarctica, but that's a heck of a giant step backwards to have to live like that. Obviously more than 90% of humans on the planet would die.
James Carthew, Melbourne, Australia
01/03/2015 02:50
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These craters are engineered. The shear precision is bored out. The crater, looks like dinosaur, swimming in it. Faces all over the walls of that crater. We must consider the impossible. Alien Construction.
D.Michael, Noblesville IN
01/03/2015 01:07
9
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I looked it up and saw what you mean about the 18-year pause-- the findings are disputed on both sides because NASA had a low level of certainty for their data, and the difference in temperatures among years competing to win the "hottest year" award is fairly minimal-- what a public relations embarrassment that must have been for NASA huh?? They should definitely have been more upfront. So anyway, my response is then that the same questions dogging NASA right now also dog the idea of an 18-year pause.. there's low certainty, and the numbers are by decimals. Overarching all of this though, is that in the grand scheme of geologic history, a pause is not a decline, so the steep climb in temperatures over this past century is still a problem.
Clara, U.S.
28/02/2015 01:37
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Hi Steve, I am a little confused by your question-- unless you're referring to the past 18 minutes, rather than the past 18 years.... (kidding! I know you're not... but that's why I'm confused). Just this January, it made top headlines in U.S. national news when NASA reported findings that-- with the exception of 1998-- the 10 hottest years on record since instrumental temperature records began in 1880 have occurred since 2000 (that odd "exception of 1998" phrasing is NASA's not mine-- I don't know why they did that, I guess they meant 9 of the hottest years have been since 2000). Link here: http://1.usa.gov/1GzkjIs [As a side note, what "instrumental temperature record" means is that 1880 is when the folks tracking annual global temperatures had developed the tools to start monitoring this data first-hand. To figure out temperatures prior to 1880, scientists today analyze proxies such as tree rings, ice cores and even coral growth (!)]
Clara, U.S.
28/02/2015 00:50
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Dad says that this is methane explosion. Warmed up methane which is situated in ice layers above the gas fields. Ordinary stuff. No aliens or lazer guns , sorry guys) Dad is finishing his doctorate thesis on Yamal peninsula and the whole region . Ask questions , he said.
Kirill, Moscow, Russia
27/02/2015 20:23
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