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Siberian Arctic Craters: Climate Change and Geology
Mysterious craters appearing in the Arctic are explained by a new study linking climate change and unique regional geology, although some scientists remain unconvinced.
Spanish
United States
Climate ChangeArcticPermafrostMethaneCrater
CnnUniversity Of CambridgeSkolkovo Institute Of Science And TechnologyRussian Academy Of SciencesUniversity Of Hawai'i
Ana MorgadoEvgeny ChuvilinLauren SchurmeierVasily Bogoyavlensky
- How do the Siberian craters form?
- The craters are formed when trapped gases, primarily methane, accumulate beneath the tundra and cause a mound to form on the surface. When the pressure surpasses the strength of the overlying ground, the mound explodes, releasing the gas.
- What is the proposed explanation for the crater formation?
- The new research suggests that a combination of human-induced climate change and the region's unusual geology is responsible for the craters. Warmer temperatures melt permafrost, leading to water seeping into underground salt water pockets, increasing pressure and triggering methane explosions.
- What are some of the criticisms of the new study's findings?
- Some scientists question the study's hypothesis due to the complexities of Siberian permafrost. They argue that water from the upper soil layer may struggle to penetrate the thick, dense ice to reach the cryopegs. Other research focuses on methane accumulation within the upper permafrost layers.
- What were some of the debated aspects of the crater formation?
- The specific mechanisms for pressure buildup and gas origin were debated. The study uses a detective-like approach, eliminating chemical reactions and proposing a physical process involving water infiltration into cryopegs, pressurizing the system and causing methane hydrate destabilization.
- What is the role of climate change in the formation of the craters?
- While the exact mechanisms are still debated, most scientists agree that climate change plays a significant role, potentially increasing the frequency of such events. The release of previously trapped methane contributes further to global warming.