Scientific method

Scientists discover unusual methane bubbles underground

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• published: 20 Jul 2016
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This extraordinary discovery was witnessed during a scientific research expedition in the remote Belyy Island near Siberia's Yamal Peninsula. The earth wobbles as scientific researchers prod it with their boots... Watch the shocking moment the Earth WOBBLES: Remarkable footage shows weird phenomenon caused by leaking methane Tundra is trembling in extraordinary video footage from the Arctic Phenomenon caused by the same reason giant holes suddenly appear These are formed by 'methane explosions' caused by the release of gases Over recent years, mysterious giant holes suddenly appearing in northern Siberia have been attributed to gas eruptions, which cause the permafrost to melt. Now new footage has captured another incredible feature caused by this build up of gas. Ground on Belyy Island, normally rock hard from permafrost, is seen 'bubbling' or swaying and measurements indicate it is leaking methane and carbon dioxide, according to scientists. The ground in this part of the Russian Arctic, normally rock hard from permafrost, can be seen bubbling under the pressure of someone's foot. Researchers spotted 15 separate patches of trembling tundra The tundra is literally trembling in extraordinary video footage from the Arctic which shows the earth moving. Researchers Alexander Sokolov from the Russian Academy of Sciences and Dorothee Ehrich from the University of Tromso, stationed on the remote outpost off the Siberian coast, spotted 15 separate patches of trembling tundra, say reports. The island in the Kara Sea is off the Yamal Peninsula, site of a number of recently former craters visible from space which are believed by Russian experts to have been formed by 'methane explosions' caused by the release of gases previously frozen in the permafrost. The patches of soft ground, when punctured, appear to have water beneath the grass cover but also emit significant levels of methane and carbon dioxide, although no precise measurements were given in reports so far. HOW THE CRATERS WERE FORMED Scientists believe the giant holes were originally a phenomenon known as a pingo. This is a subsurface accumulation of ice that has been covered by land. When the ice melts it can leave behind a gaping hole. The melting of the permafrost caused natural gas trapped in the soil to be released and accumulate in the void, causing the pressure to build and eventually erupt from the ground. Rising temperatures in the soil would have increased the pressure, leading to an eruption. 'One possible explanation of the phenomenon is abnormal heat that caused permafrost to thaw, releasing frozen gases,' The Siberian Times reported, revealing details of the discovery. 'Scientists have warned at the potential catastrophic impact of global warming leading to the release into the atmosphere of harmful gases hitherto frozen in the ground or under the sea. 'A possibility is that the trembling tundra on Belyy Island is this process in action.' The patches of soft ground, when punctured, appear to have water beneath the grass cover but also emit significant levels of methane and carbon dioxide, although no precise measurements were given in reports so far Ground on Belyy Island, normally rock hard from permafrost, is seen 'bubbling' or swaying and measurements indicate it is leaking methane and carbon dioxide, according to scientists Reports say that the weather on Belyy Island has been significantly warmer than average this summer while there are also claims that the Arctic could be ice free in the near future due to temperature rises. Reports say that the weather on Belyy Island has been significantly warmer than average this summer while there are also claims that the Arctic could be ice free in the near future due to temperature rises. Experts are expected to monitor the latest unusual phenomenon in Arctic Russia, just as they are closely examining the recently-formed Siberian craters. When the craters first appeared on the Yamal Peninsula, known to locals as 'the end of the world', they sparked bizarre theories as to their formation. They ranged from meteorites to stray missiles fired by Vladimir Putin's military machine and from manmade pranks to the work of visiting aliens. Researchers Alexander Sokolov and Dorothee Ehrich, stationed on the remote outpost off the Siberian coast, spotted 15 separate patches of trembling tundra. When the craters first appeared on the Yamal Peninsula, known to locals as 'the end of the world', they sparked bizarre theories as to their formation The Yamal craters, some tiny but others large, were created by natural gas filling vacant space in ice humps, eventually triggering eruptions. One crater, now a lake, on the Taimyr Peninsula is not believed to have been formed in a pingo. Yet local reports suggested a 'big bang' in 2013 when it was created.