Global warming has led to a series of underground explosions in Siberia
Scientists at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology have established the origin of craters in Siberia. Research has shown that they are caused by underground gas explosions, Geosciences reports.
Experts counted 20 craters on the Yamal Peninsula and elsewhere. They said that due to the rise in temperatures, the permafrost is gradually melting. Methane accumulates in large quantities underground. Over time, the gas explodes and the rocks collapse.
Such an explosion requires a combination of several factors. So, the permafrost layer should be relatively thin and at the same time saturated with methane. In addition, there should be reservoirs of cold salt water with natural gas nearby.
During thawing, flows of melt and ground water mix, begin to circulate in the ground and affect the ice cover. At a certain moment, the cover ceases to contain the methane accumulated underground, and it is called out.
“It’s pure luck that these explosions haven’t killed anyone or destroyed anything,” noted the authors of the scientific work.
There have been cases when craters appeared just a few kilometers from large industrial facilities. Scientists believe that most of the Yamal territory is at risk.
Earlier it became known that the Earth has dimmed due to climate change. She began to reflect less light.
