Scientists baffled by two new holes discovered in Siberia
Experts are perplexed as to what may have caused the finds with speculation surrounding the phenomena ranging from craters caused by meteorites, stray missiles to explosions caused by methane or shale gas, the euronews reports.
The first was discovered two weeks ago. One of the new finds have been discovered near the village of Antipayuta, a little over 50 kilometers from the crater that first appeared in mid-July, and is about 15 metres in diameter.
The second crater and hole has been spotted in the Taymyr peninsula. It has a perfectly formed cone and is said to be around 100 metres deep.
Russia is using satellite technology to fix the moment the holes were formed. Soil and ice samples have been taken and sent to laboratories for studies.
The Chief Scientist of the Earth Cryosphere Institute, Marina Leibman, told URA.RU website: "Undoubtedly, we need to study all such formations. It is necessary to be able to predict their occurrence. Each new funnel provides additional information for scientists."