Mystery of the hole at the ‘end of the world’ in Siberia is ‘solved’: Crater is caused by rising temperatures, not a meteorite
Enormous crater appeared suddenly in part of Russia, Yamal, where name translates as 'the end of the world'
Some thought the unusual and rare geographical occurrence, which was 262ft wide, was caused by a meteorite
Andrei Plekhanov from Scientific Research Center of the Arctic says crater was probably due to rising temperatures
Another aerial view shows how out of place the hole looks in the environment
Andrei Plekhanov, a senior researcher at the Scientific Research Center of the Arctic, who travelled to investigate the crater, said there were no traces of an explosion
The discovery eliminates the possibility that a meteorite had struck the region in the Yamal Peninsula - the name of which translates as 'the end of the world'
The darkening around the inner rim of the crater indicates 'severe burning' that scorched its edges
Mystery of the Siberian crater deepens: Scientists left baffled after two NEW holes appear in Russia's icy wilderness
One of the craters is located in Siberia's Yamal Peninsula in the Taz district and has a diameter of 49ft (15 metres)
The other was spotted on the Taymyr Peninsula in Kransoyark region and has a diameter of 13ft (four metres)
They follow the discovery of a larger hole found in Yamal earlier this month at around 230ft (70 metres) in diameter
Andrei Plekhanov from Scientific Research Center of the Arctic says crater was formed due to rising temperatures
One theory is that a chunk of ice that is located underground created a hole in the ground when it melted
Another is that the crater was formed by a mixture of water, salt and gas igniting an underground explosion
Quote:
New unexplained holes have appeared in Siberia following the mystery over a giant crater on the Yamal Peninsula.
A second is in the same permafrost region of northern Russia, and a third on the Taymyr Peninsula, to the east, in Kransoyark region. Both were spotted by reindeer herders who almost fell in.
The new Yamal crater (pictured) is in the area's Taz district near the village of Antipayuta and has a diameter of about 49ft (15 metres). According to local residents, the hole formed on 27 September 2013
The third crater is in the Taymyr Peninsula and was accidentally discovered by reindeer herders who almost fell into it, in the vicinity of the remote outpost of Nosok. The funnel is a perfectly formed cone, say locals who are mystified over its formation. Its depth is estimated at between 200 to 330ft (60 to 100 metres) and its diameter - more than 13ft (four metres)
The original crater was found in the Yamal Peninsula, baffling scientists. Now two further craters have been found in the Taz district and Taymyr Peninsula
Whatever it was it was shaped nearly perfectly circular and had sharp enough ridges to where the sides of the crater are so flat instead of rocky and uneven.