North Sea Mystery Solved: Scientists Determine Origin of Massive Underwater Crater
LONDON – A decades-old puzzle surrounding a massive crater discovered in the North Sea has finally been solved, revealing it wasn’t formed by a meteor impact as previously theorized, but by a series of powerful gas explosions during the last Ice Age.The finding, detailed by researchers, provides new insight into the dramatic geological events that shaped the region and offers clues about similar formations worldwide.
for years, the 3-kilometer wide (1.9 mile) “Gardar crater,” located approximately 290 kilometers (180 miles) off the coast of Norway, baffled scientists. Its unusual shape and lack of a clear impact point led to speculation about its origins. New evidence, including core samples and detailed seismic data, now points to the build-up and subsequent release of massive amounts of gas – likely methane – trapped beneath the seabed during a period of intense glacial activity roughly 100,000 years ago. This finding is meaningful because it demonstrates that large-scale geological features can be created by processes other than asteroid impacts, and highlights the potential for similar events to occur in other gas-rich sedimentary basins.
The research team, comprised of scientists from multiple institutions, analyzed sediment cores extracted from within and around the crater. These cores revealed no evidence of shocked quartz or other materials typically associated with meteorite impacts.Instead, they found evidence of intense heat and deformation consistent with a powerful explosion originating from below. Seismic surveys further confirmed the presence of a complex network of faults and fractures beneath the crater, providing pathways for the gas to accumulate and eventually erupt.
“The scale of this event is remarkable,” said Dr. [Name not provided in source],a lead researcher on the project.”The gas explosions would have released enormous amounts of energy, reshaping the seabed and potentially triggering landslides and tsunamis.”
the discovery has implications for understanding the geological history of the North Sea and the potential for similar gas-related events in other regions. While the likelihood of a similar explosion occurring today is considered low due to the depletion of gas reserves, the research underscores the importance of monitoring gas build-up in sedimentary basins and assessing the risks associated with potential releases.
(Source materials: https://geekweek.interia.pl/przyroda/news-naukowcy-nie-potrafia-wytlumaczyc-jak-powstalo-to-jezioro,nId,21064188)
