Scientists Explore Mysterious Frozen Crater in Northern Siberia

The new images that have been released by the Russian Centre of Arctic Exploration show the mysterious beauty of a huge frozen crater that recently formed located in the Yamal Peninsula in northern Siberia.

These photographs were taken by a team of scientists who used climbing equipment to venture down into the whole in a region that locals call “the end of the world”.

The team waited until winter when the ground would be harder before they scaled the 16.5 metre drop to the bottom of the crater. They then used probes and other tools to measure and record data which still needs to be processed before any conclusions as to what caused the crater can be reached.

One of the possible causes being suggested is global warming causing a sudden change in heat on the surface and below which led to the release of gas hydrates, which then triggered a huge eruption. The leader of the exploration and director of the Russian Centre of Arctic Exploration, Vladimir Pushkarev explained in his own words, “As of now we don’t see anything dangerous in the sudden appearance of such holes, but we’ve got to study them properly to make absolutely sure we understand the nature of their appearance and don’t need to be afraid about them.”

via MyModernMet

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