Four Mysterious Giant Holes Appeared In Siberia

Four new mysterious giant craters have appeared in the Siberian permafrost in northern Russia, sparking fears that global warming may be causing gas to erupt from underground.
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Scientists spotted the new holes, along with dozens of other smaller ones, in the same area as three other enormous craters that were spotted on the Yamal Peninsula last year. The craters are thought to be caused by eruptions of methane gas from the permafrost as rising rising temperatures causes the frozen soil to melt. Experts have predicted there could be up to 30 more are waiting to be discovered.

It has sparked fears that the craters could become more common as climate change continues to warm and led to warnings that the area is facing a looming natural disaster.One of new craters, surrounded by at least 20 smaller holes, is just six miles from a major gas production plant. Scientsts, however, are still largely baffled by the exact processes causing the craters.

The first of the new craters discovered, named B1, shows signs of an huge eruption of gas

This crater, called B1, was first spotted 18 miles (30 km) from the Bovanenkovo by passing helicopter pilots

This crater (named B3) was spotted near to Antipayuta in the Yamal Peninsula after locals saw a flash of light nearby

When this crater was discovered in 2014, theories ranged from a man-made hoax, to aliens or a meteorite

Last year scientists took a closer look at one of the older craters by climbing 54 feet down its frozen sides

In the winter the sides of the craters freeze making it easier for scientists to take samples