© Pavel Serov
Arctic scientists have discovered huge mounds, some up to 3,280ft (990 metres) wide and 30ft (9 metres) tall, on the sea bed of the South Kara Sea off the coast of Siberia using seismic surveys (pictured). They said melting permafrost on the seabed is releasing methane that is forcing the earth above it to bulge upwards
Arctic scientists have discovered huge mounds, some up to 3,280ft (990 metres) wide and 30ft (9 metres) tall, on the sea bed of the South Kara Sea off the coast of Siberia using seismic surveys (pictured). They said melting permafrost on the seabed is releasing methane that is forcing the earth above it to bulge upwards
Scientists fear thawing permafrost beneath the ocean is causing methane to become free, forming underwater pingos - mounds of earth and ice - off the coast of the Yamal Peninsula in Siberia.
Similar structures are thought to be behind enormous craters that have appeared on the land on the peninsula as methane exploded out of the Earth.
The researchers warn the underwater pingos appear to be forming through the same process and are also at risk of causing huge blow outs under the ocean.
This could release huge amounts of methane - a potent greenhouse gas - into the atmosphere.
Comment: The 'warming' that is taking place is likely due to increased volcanic activity, especially under the Arctic Ocean, where methane clathrate deposits are being ruptured in enormous quantities these days, releasing methane gas into the atmosphere. Recently an active underwater volcano was discovered spewing methane gas in southern Alaska.
Sinkholes and fissures of all descriptions appearing all over the world in recent years, as the planet is literally 'opening up'. A few recent incidents include: