Earth’s Gateway to Hell Expands by 35 Million Cubic Feet Annually

Whether you admire John Carpenter’s creations or have a fascination with biology, the thawing of subterranean permafrost in polar areas presents notable apprehensions. In a recent discovery, researchers revealed a ‘zombie virus‘ dating back 48,500 years, extracted from Arctic permafrost, contributing to the mounting concerns linked with climate change.

This new threat highlights the potential resurgence of ancient diseases that have long remained frozen and dormant.

The Expanding Batagaika Crater

In a related development, recent research has outlined the alarming rate at which Siberia’s massive Batagaika crater is expanding, consuming the Earth’s surface at a staggering pace of 35 million cubic feet per year.

Currently, it spans approximately 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) in length and 800 meters (0.5 miles) across at its widest point, with its expansion accelerating over time.

Batagaika crater, in northeastern Siberia’s Chersky Range, isn’t a typical crater. It’s a thermokarst depression, akin to a sinkhole, formed by land collapse due to permafrost thaw.

Its existence came to light in 1991 when this subterranean fissure widened, causing a substantial portion of the hillside to collapse. The video below provides a visual documentation of its expansion from its discovery up to 2007.

Permafrost, despite its name, isn’t truly permanent; it refers to ground that has remained at or below 32°F (0°C) for over two consecutive years. Covering about a quarter of the Northern Hemisphere’s land surface, this frozen soil can vary from a few feet to nearly a mile in depth.

So why is Batagaika, located in a relatively remote area of Siberia, causing such concern? Its rapid expansion is now driven by rising air temperatures, triggering a positive feedback loop that shows no signs of slowing as long as there’s ice to thaw.

Impact on Vegetation, Carbon Release, and Accelerated Warming

As permafrost thaws, it transitions from a solid, concrete-like state to a muddy mass, unable to support surface vegetation. With the collapse of its edges, the ground loses the protective tree canopies that shield it from sunlight and warmth.

Exposed organic matter, no longer preserved in ice, decomposes and releases carbon into the atmosphere, exacerbating global warming. This, in turn, accelerates further permafrost degradation.

Regarding the ancient bugs, it remains uncertain whether they possess the ability to survive long when exposed to Earth’s atmosphere. Equally unclear is whether our modern biology and medical capabilities are prepared to handle the emergence of novel viruses after 50,000 years of dormancy.

In 2016, it’s believed that a permafrost thaw released Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, resulting in the deaths of 2,649 reindeer and causing illness in numerous locals, including one child fatality.

To conclude, the remarkable formation of the Batagaika crater, dubbed the ‘gateway to the underworld‘ or ‘gateway to Hell,’ features steep cliff-like edges exposing permafrost estimated to have remained frozen for 650,000 years. Currently, it reaches depths of around 50 meters (164 feet), with certain areas plunging as far as 100 meters (328 feet).

On a lighter note, the crater has somewhat surprisingly become a tourist attraction…

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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