MYSTERIOUS HOLE HAS APPEARED IN SIBERIA - The 262ft hole could have been made by a methane explosion or a meteorite crash.

UPDATE - More craters found in the region

The cause of the hole's sudden appearance in Yamal - in the far north of Siberia is not yet known.  One Russian expert says the cause could be global warming releasing gases under the surface, which then explode like a champagne cork.  Experts say that the darkening around the inner rim of the crater indicates 'severe burning' which scorched its edges.




Picture on the left - swampy spot in Yamal.  The word Yamal translates as "the end of the world".

 

 

Pictures - The Siberian Times, Daily Mail

 

 

 

 

 

Read more and see pictures and map

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-2693105/Giant-hole-appears-Siberia-Huge-crater-emerges-end-world.html

UPDATE - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2696953/Mystery-hole-end-world-Siberia-solved-Crater-caused-rising-temperatures-not-meteorite.html

July 28, 2014
Further update on more craters found in the region
http://ottersandsciencenews.blogspot.ca/2014/07/mysterious-craters-appearing-in-russian.html

 

*********************************************************************