In the vast, icy wilderness of Siberia, something very unusual has been happening. Lakes that look calm and still on the surface can suddenly explode with a loud bang, sending mud, ice, and water flying into the air. What could possibly make a whole lake burst open like that?
The answer lies underground, beneath a layer of soil and ice called permafrost. This permafrost locks away gases that have been trapped for thousands of years. One of these gases is methane. Normally, the permafrost keeps methane sealed in tight. But when temperatures rise, the permafrost begins to thaw. As it melts, the methane escapes and builds up in pockets just below the surface.
Think of it like shaking a fizzy drink bottle. As the gas inside pushes harder and harder, eventually the cap can’t hold it in anymore. The same thing happens in Siberia. The gas pressure grows so strong that it blasts through the ground, creating an explosion. What’s left behind is a deep, round crater, which often fills up with water and becomes a new lake.
Scientists have already found dozens of such craters in northern Siberia. Some are so large that they can swallow whole buildings if they were nearby.
As temperatures continue to rise in the Arctic, scientists expect more of these craters to appear across Siberia.
They can turn into lakes
After the explosion, many craters slowly fill with rain and melted ice, creating brand new lakes.
The first one was spotted in 2014
Scientists noticed the first mysterious crater in northern Siberia in 2014. Since then, dozens more have been discovered.
Methane is very powerful
Methane traps about 25 times more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.
Local legends predicted them
Long before scientists, local communities believed that spirits underground caused sudden blasts in the frozen land.