Friday, Mar 29 2024
All Cities
Choose Your City
'If you emptied Lake Baikal, it would take every river in the world flowing into it a year to fill.'
0

Now two NEW large holes appear in Siberia

By 0 and 0 and 0
28 July 2014

0

The funnel is a perfectly formed cone, say locals who are mystified at how it was formed. Its depth is estimated at between 60 and 100 metres and its diameter - more than four metres. Picture: Local residents

Millions of people around the world glimpsed the first giant hole after it was revealed by The Siberian Times here and on The Siberian Times TV here.

Now news has emerged of two new similar formations in the permafrost, prompting more intrigue about their creation.

Theories range from meteorites, stray missiles, a man-made prank, and aliens, to an explosive cocktail of methane or shale gas suddenly exploding. The version about melting permafrost due to climate change, causing a release of methane gas, which then forces an eruption is the current favorite, though scientists are reluctant to offer a firm conclusion without more study.

Crater near Bovanenkovo gas field


Yamal crater near Bovanenkovo from above


Sides of Yamal crater near Bovanenkovo

First pictures from the big crater near Bovanenkovo gas field. Theories range from meteorites, stray missiles, a man-made prank, and aliens, to an explosive cocktail of methane or shale gas suddenly exploding. Pictures: Andrey Naumenko, 'Yamal-Region'

The second is in the Yamal Peninsula - known to locals as 'the end of the world' - like the first. It is some hundreds kilometres from the first, which is close to a huge gas extraction plant at Bovanenkovo. This new crater in the Taz district, near the village of Antipayuta, has a diameter of about 15 metres. 

A deputy of the regional parliament - or duma - Mikhail Lapsui has examined this latest phenomenon. 

'I flew by helicopter to inspect this funnel on Saturday 19 July,' he said. 'Its diameter is about 15 meters. 'There is also ground outside, as if it was thrown as a result of an underground explosion. 

'According to local residents, the hole formed on 27 September 2013. Observers give several versions. According to the first, initially at the place was smoking, and then there was a bright flash. In the second version, a celestial body fell there.'

The Chief Scientist of the Earth Cryosphere Institute, Marina Leibman, told URA.RU website: 'I have heard about the second funnel on Yamal, in Taz district, and saw the pictures. 

'Undoubtedly, we need to study all such formations. It is necessary to be able to predict their occurrence. Each new funnel provides additional information for scientists.'

Yamal holes on the map


Crater near Antipayuta on the map


View of the crater in Antipayuta

This new crater in the Taz district, near the village of Antipayuta, has a diameter of about 15 metres. Pictures: Google maps, press service of the Governor YaNAO

The third crater and hole is in the Taymyr Peninsula, to the east of Yamal, in Kransoyark region. It was accidentally discovered by local herders, inhabitants of the northern village of Nosok. 

The funnel is a perfectly formed cone, say locals who are mystified at how it was formed. Its depth is estimated at between 60 and 100 metres and its diameter - more than four metres. 

The herders almost fell into the hole which lies on a pasturing route. They took pictures of the hole which were sent to scientists at the Norilsk Taimyr Explorers' Club. 

Experts - geologists, ecologists, and historians - have not come to a consensus about the origin of the funnel, say reports in the region. 

'It is not like this is the work of men, but also doesn't look like natural formation,' said one account. 

Hole on Taymyr on the map


Big hole on Taymyr near Nosok

The herders almost fell into the hole which lies on a pasturing route. They took pictures of the hole which were sent to scientists at the Norilsk Taimyr Explorers' Club. Pictures: Google maps,  Local residents

Further study is planned of this hole. 

The first hole is around 70 metres deep with an icy lake at its bottom. 

Please see our reports on the first hole here and here.

Comments (139)

Is it not God playing with his laser weapon? :)
Chris M, None
28/07/2014 23:01
13
10
This is a cylindrical sign of Martial Law over the entire word.
martiallaw.co
Martiallaw.co, Bovancenkovo, Siberia
28/07/2014 21:08
2
9
Get out of my Yeti home !
A Snowman, Siberia
28/07/2014 14:08
16
3
Hmm Yes puzzling phenomena ,but most probably explainable like most things.We must wait for expert professional opinions from experienced geologists after they have researched these mysterious huge dangerous ice holes. They could be useful; however, they need to fenced for safety reasons,they are defintely a danger to human and animal life, most of all to the brave stoic siberian herders that live in the region .
Patrick.
Patrick Travers, Perth Australia
28/07/2014 13:15
14
19

Add your comment

We welcome a healthy debate, but do not accept offensive or abusive comments. Please also read 'Siberian Times' Privacy Policy

Name

Town/Country

Add your comments

The views expressed in the comments above are those of our readers. 'Siberian Times' reserves the right to pre-moderate some comments.

Control code*

Type the code

* obligatory


News

Business

The Bank of Russia official exchange rates of foreign currencies
EUR99.71USD92.26GBP116.52Other...