EARTH DECONTAMINATION IN THE ARCTIC: REMOTE AND FIELD STUDIES OF THE SEYAKHA ACCIDENT GAS EMISSION ON THE YAMAL PENINSULA

For the first time in the polar riverbed, a pingo (a blow-up) was detected, which was destroyed on June 28, 2017 by emission, self-ignition and gas explosion with the formation of a crater. Prompt expedition to the Seyakha crater (C11), formed in the Myudriyakha riverbed on the Yamal Peninsula, and analysis of remote sensing data allowed to reconstruct geodynamical processes of the pingo growth, caused by gas pressure, and active thermo-abrasive processes (speed up to 1,47-1,6 meters per day), destroying the crater walls. Assuming great remoteness of deep wells from the explosion site and determined microbial genesis of gas, a conclusion was made about high probability of natural occurrence of gas and formation of the crater C11. Based on the detection of numerous pingos (blow-ups) and lakes with bottom gas craters in the eastern and especially in the north-eastern parts of the Yamal Peninsula, it was concluded that these areas are characterized by gas explosion hazard.

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