Scientists climb to bottom of Siberian sinkhole - in pictures
A Russian research team including scientists, a medic and a professional climber has descended a giant sinkhole on the Yamal Peninsula in northern Siberia. Photographs by Vladimir Pushkarev/Siberian Times
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The 35-metre deep sinkhole was discovered in July after an unexplained eruption that flung soil and rock 120 metres from the site
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The sinkhole was discovered and filmed from a helicopter by oil and gas technicians
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For the first time scientists have used climbing equipment to reach the base of the crater
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Eighty percent of the crater appears to be made up of ice and there are no traces of a meteorite strike
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Water cascades down the eroding permafrost walls
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At the base of the crater is water at least 34 feet deep with a frozen surface
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The walls are constantly thawing, with water gathering in the base where it freezes
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Researchers take samples from inside the sinkhole
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The first scientific expedition to the Yamal sinkhole took place in July, but researchers were unable to climb inside and take samples until the sides of the hole and the water on the bottom froze