Taimyr geologists, ecologists, seismologists, local historians argue about the origin of the giant - up to 100 meters deep - crater found in the tundra. The most amazing thing is that nothing was known about its existence before, although it is located near the village of reindeer herders.
In Taimyr, they are preparing to study a mysterious funnel, which was accidentally discovered by local reindeer herders - residents of the northern village of Nosok. The funnel is a perfectly regular cone. Its depth is estimated at 60-100 meters, its diameter exceeds 4 meters. Several versions have been put forward about the origin of the funnel, but none have yet been finally confirmed. Moreover, no one knew about her before, although she is located near the village.
Reindeer herders found a funnel during an argish (nomadic) - they almost fell into it. And when they took a breath, they took photographs, from which the study of the amazing phenomenon began.
- In our village, it's not that no one knows or guesses about the origin of this funnel (it would be interesting for ourselves), but moreover, no one has noticed it until now. We have no idea when exactly it appeared. How they found it: one of our reindeer herders did not notice it under the snow in winter and almost fell into it. And how she looks in the summer, we do not even know. It would be nice if specialists came in the summer and see what it is.
Snezhana Tesdo, acting head of the administration of the village of Nosok
The photographs were sent to the Norilsk Taimyr Explorers' Club. However, experts - geologists, ecologists, local historians - have not come to a common opinion about the origin of the crater. It does not seem that this is the work of human hands, but there are no similar ones among natural formations. However, so far only a visual inspection was possible - winter in the North lasts a long time. In summer and autumn, the study of the funnel will continue and will, of course, be more thorough.
- People often bring something unusual to our Club of Taimyr Explorers: amazing photos, videos, artifacts. It happened this time too. First of all, in order to determine the origin of the crater, we turned to our geologists. Their verdict is that it is unlikely that it was formed by the exit to the outside of any rocks, it painfully has the correct shape. On the other hand, it doesn't look like it was created by a man either: there should have been at least some traces of the work of heavy equipment, because the depth of the funnel is from 60 meters, and the diameter is at least 4. But there are no such traces. We did not turn to ufologists and esotericists ourselves. An interesting, by the way, phrase was said about this by our acquaintance geologist from Murmansk: “I have no versions of the origin of the crater, but it is absolutely certain that it is not natural, but also not the work of human hands”.
Promotional video:
Larisa Stryuchkova, employee of the Joint Directorate of Taimyr Reserves, organizer of the Taimyr Explorers' Club
According to other experts, the funnel could be formed by a powerful gas outlet to the surface. There are few places on earth where something like this happened, but they are. However, as the experts themselves admit, these territories have practically not been studied.
- Correct cone shape may indicate that the vortex was caused by a massive gas release. Moreover, we are talking about a site located on the territory of the Yenisei-Khatanga trough, where a large number of gas and oil fields have been discovered. So my version is a shift in the depths and a gas breakthrough. But even so, this funnel is a unique phenomenon anyway. To date, the literature describes several similar formations - in the Ryazan, Kursk regions, in the Urals. However, until now, no one has been able to determine the nature of their origin. In any case, the study of the funnel must be continued: to explore the rocks that were thrown up, especially since the depression is huge. As a result, it will be possible to say whether it was really a gas release or something else.
Gennady Legezin, Leading Specialist of Norilskgeologiya LLC, Category I Geologist
It should be noted that the craters in the Ryazan Region, the origin of which are also commonly attributed to the gas release, have a small depth compared to the Taimyr one - only 4 meters. But their diameter reaches 15-28 meters. Their appearance was accompanied by a powerful explosion, which the residents of several settlements could not fail to notice, while clods of earth were scattered at a distance of up to 250 meters. All this cannot be said about the funnel found near Nosk, so it is too early to equate these phenomena.
The study of the funnel will continue in the summer. It is assumed that not only geologists, but also seismologists will participate in the expedition. They will have to explore not only the sinkhole itself, but also the area around it in order to confirm or refute the hypothesis about the origin of the sinkhole as a result of seismic impact.
Vitaly Yarovoy. Process Engineer
- A curious phenomenon … Obviously, the funnel is not the work of human hands, otherwise there were some traces of its creation, and the locals would be more aware of it. Most likely this is some kind of natural anomaly, but what caused it is a big question …
