Mysterious Frozen Crater in Northern Siberia

These superb images have released by the Russian Centre of Arctic Exploration capture the poignant beauty of a mysterious crater that made in recent times on the Yamal Peninsula in northern Siberia. The photographs were taken during an expedition to the gigantic hole in an icy area that locals call “The End of the World," where a team of researchers used climbing equipment to reach the sunken base of the crater for the first time.

The researchers waited until winter to descend since the hardened ground made it easier to scale 16.5 meters down the funnel of the crater. Moreover at the bottom, the experts examined the frozen surface of a lake at least 10.5 meters deep. They used probes and other tools to make measurements and record data, which need to be processed before any conclusions can reach.

Vladimir Pushkarev says, (Director of the Russian Centre of Arctic Exploration and the leader of the mission) it is too early to verify or deny theories on the crater's formation, including one proposal that climate change caused unfamiliar heat on the surface and below, leading to a release of gas hydrates and a colossal eruption. Likewise, Vladimir Pushkarev is wary of drawing conclusions comparing the crater to the eruptions beneath the Atlantic Ocean that caused the Bermuda Triangle phenomenon. In his words, "As of now we don't see anything treacherous in the sudden appearance of such holes, but we have got to find them accurately to make absolutely sure we understand the nature of their appearance and don't need to be afraid about them.