Russian scientists have discovered two new massive holes on the Yamal peninsula in Russia. The scientists know the coordinates of four other craters and believe their numbers will increase in months to come.
While the reason for the craters is still a mystery, one probable explanation is methane gas trapped under the ground’s surface. Under heavy pressure, the accumulated methane gas under the sheets of permafrost could violently release as the permafrost thawed. Researchers argue that long-term global warming might be to blame. Over the past 20 years, permafrost has warmed by about 2°C, driven by rising air temperatures. A steady thaw in the region could have been enough to free bursts of methane and create the vast craters.
The largest crater has a diameter of about 40 meters and is gradually increasing as the sides crumble into the cavity. The depth is still unknown. Helicopter pilots or local deer herders have spotted the five confirmed holes, but there may be many more either undiscovered or unconfirmed by Russian scientists.
Scientists are worried that the release of trapped methane could threaten local communities. The permafrost will continue to thaw for the foreseeable future and the latest hole is only a short 30 km away from Bovanenkovo. The only suggested solution, of drilling holes into the permafrost prematurely to more gently release the methane, will be next to impossible to implement because the team would need to know the exact location of the methane buildup in order to drill.
