Giant Exploding Craters of Siberia: New Theory May Explain Mystery That Baffled Scientists [Study]

Exploding craters in the region of Siberia, Russia, have been discovered more than a decade ago. This phenomenon, which only occurs in Russia's permafrost-stricken Yamal and Gydan peninsulas, has remained a mystery, baffling scientists for a long time. These colossal holes have also sparked a wide range of theories, linking their relation with climate change, global warming, ancient lakes, and gases.

Previous research has created models to potentially explain the nature, cause, and driving mechanisms behind these giant craters. However, none have reportedly produced a grand theory that would help determine this phenomenon. Some scientists say the warming of the Earth could be the reason there are holes in the frozen landscape but the notion fails to explain why it only occurs in the Siberian Arctic.

Exploding Craters of Siberia

The probability that these craters are just larger sinkholes is unlikely since the latter occurs more frequently and even in both urban and rural areas across the world. Furthermore, the Siberian craters seem to be driven by upward pressure, resulting in the explosion. Meanwhile, sinkholes are caused by the collapse of the surface layer, affecting not only soil ground but also cement.

Now, a new study may have finally explained the mystery of the giant craters of Siberia. Scientists propose various theories, ranging from meteor impacts to natural gas explosions. Previous research has also viewed that the exploding craters are escaping natural gases. Yet, this analogy does not explain why these "giant escape craters" only happen in Northern Russia.

The study, which has been published in the journal EarthArXiv on January 12, suggests that the key in solving the geochemical mystery of the exploding craters of Siberia is understanding the landscape of Yamal and Gydan peninsulas. After all, this event has only been recorded in the said areas and even not elsewhere in the Arctic.

Siberian Gas Emission Craters

The giant exploding craters have been officially called as "Siberian gas emission craters (GECs)" in the January 12 study led by researchers from the Department of Geosciences at the University of Oslo in Norway. The research paper is still a non-peer-reviewed, pre-print material submitted to the journal. Still, its content explores the discovery of eight GECs across the Russian Yamal and Gydan peninsulas.

The research team involved in the EarthArXiv paper confirmed that the several proposed models mentioned earlier, have failed to provide a comprehensive explanation as to why GECs are only confined in this specific region of Russia and the Arctic.

New General Model

The 2024 study proposes a new general model regarding the formation of the giant exploding craters of Siberia, particularly emphasizing local permafrost thinning is connected to the local geology. Atmospheric warming is also connected with the thinning and eventual mechanical collapse of the landscape, resulting in the cylindrical dome shape.

The significance of the decades-long mystery is not only a matter of resolving the unknown but rather to the global climate and environment, as well as people living near the giant craters. For instance, there have been reports that these holes release methane, one of the most hazardous greenhouse gases.