More methane-release craters in Siberia than thought

Washington Post : Last summer a series of unusual craters—the first more than 30 m across—were found in Siberia. Researchers explained that warming temperatures in the region had caused the layer of permafrost to melt and release bubbles of trapped methane gas. Since then, seven more craters have been found, some of which have become lakes and one of which is surrounded by a collection of mini-craters. Beyond the danger of the methane explosions themselves, the phenomenon is a threat to the region’s natural gas fields, which are a major part of the Russian economy. So far, the explosions have not injured anyone, but at least one of them has resulted in a fireball, and there is evidence that methane continues to leak from one of the craters. As Siberia continues to warm—2012 and 2013 were both 5° warmer than the historical average—the threat of these explosions is likely to increase.