BATAGAY CRATER - GEOGRAPHY
News: ‘Gateway to the underworld’ in
Siberia is growing at a staggering rate every year: Study
What's in the news?
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A recent study reveals that a massive crater within
Siberia's permafrost is expanding at a rate of 35 million cubic feet annually
due to the thawing of the frozen ground.
Batagay Crater:
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Known as the "gateway
to the underworld," Batagay Crater is situated in Russia's Sakha Republic and is renowned for being the world's
largest permafrost crater.
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Initially identified in 1991 through satellite
imagery, the crater, also referred to as a megaslump, features a distinctive
rounded cliff face.
Formation:
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Its formation is attributed to the thawing of permafrost, which had been
frozen since the Quaternary Ice Age approximately 2.58 million years ago,
according to scientific consensus.
Go back to basics:
Permafrost:
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Permafrost, defined as ground that remains frozen at or below 32°F (0°C) for a minimum of two
consecutive years, is widespread across Earth's high-latitude regions,
particularly near the poles and in mountainous areas.
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It covers a significant portion of the planet's
surface, with nearly one-quarter of the Northern Hemisphere's land area
containing permafrost beneath the surface.