Giant Crater Found in Artic Tundra

A new giant crater has been found in the Russian Arctic tundra ~ the more than 20 meter wide hole is the 17th of its kind discovered in the far northern Yamal region since 2014.

It’s believed the tundra craters are created when large pockets of gas accumulate under the permafrost and then explode leaving the craters.

Researcher Vasily Bogoyavlensky says to Vesti Yamal that the explosions happen when pressure in the ground reaches 12 atmospheres. The powerful explosions can throw soils several hundred meters from the epicenter.

New giant crater is found on Russian Arctic tundra

It’s likely a number of craters will appear in the near future as numerous small swollen hilltops have appeared waiting to burst. Hopefully footage of the eruptions will be captured on film soon!