Mysterious explosions are creating craters in Siberia. Here's why

Climate change might make these bizarre explosions more common.



Image credit: Getty

Dr Josh Dean

Published: July 29, 2024 at 10:00 pm

The explosions that form the craters found in Siberia aren’t directly caused by climate change, but they could become more common because of it. The explosions are most likely driven by the build-up of gas beneath frozen soil, known as permafrost.

In northwest Siberia, where these craters were discovered, there are big deposits of oil and gas. These deposits have been extracted for decades. Some deposits are kept in place by permafrost.

Thick layers of ice and permafrost act as ‘caps’ keeping gas reservoirs trapped. Any weakening of these caps could lead to gas migration and explosions due to pressure build-up.

During the short Arctic summers, surface permafrost will thaw, which can affect the movement of water in these often very flat landscapes.

More:
https://www.sciencefocus.com/planet-earth/mysterious-explosions-craters-siberia