Scientists have collected samples from the expanding 0.8-square kilometre megaslump, revealing evidence of permafrost formation and degradation over different periods.
Known as the "gateway to the underworld" by locals, this Siberian ground has remained frozen for over six hundred thousand years, making it the second oldest found on Earth. The Batagay megaslump, situated within the permafrost, is the largest permafrost landslide globally and is experiencing the consequences of heightened human activity in the area.
The frozen ground in Siberia, referred to as the "gateway to the underworld," has maintained its icy state for over six hundred thousand years, establishing it as the planet's second-oldest ground. Within the permafrost lies the Batagay megaslump, the largest permafrost landslide worldwide, which is currently facing the impacts of increased human activity in the region.
Researchers have recently collected samples from the megaslump in order to gain deeper insights into the climate patterns of our distant history. The analysis conducted has revealed that this significant geological formation dates back to a minimum of six hundred thousand years, shedding light on our ancient past and its environmental conditions.
The megaslump has expanded to encompass an area of 0.8 square kilometres, and its sediments retain indications of the bygone environment and climate that previously dominated this area. Presently, the slump contributes to a broader array of investigations, including Canada's Yukon region, renowned for its age of nearly 7,00,000 years.
Permafrost is the layer of soil, sediment, or rock that remains at or below zero degrees Celsius for two or more consecutive years. It is predominantly found in the polar regions and high-altitude mountainous areas. Permafrost acts as a natural freezer, preserving evidence of Earth's past and its climate.
"We can now just add another site to the map so that we can really start reconstructing the climate and also the environment for this period of time," Thomas Opel, a palaeoclimatologist at the Alfred Wegener Institute in Germany, told LiveScience.
His team has now presented their findings based on cryostratigraphic observations (the study of frozen layers in the Earth's crust) and dating results, which provide evidence for several periods of permafrost formation and degradation.
Permafrost ensnares and conserves organic matter such as plants, animals, and microbes from bygone eras. The frigid temperatures impede decomposition, resulting in remarkably well-preserved remains.
It also encompasses layers of ice referred to as ice wedges or ice lenses. These ice structures can capture air bubbles, dust particles, and isotopes, presenting a record of atmospheric composition and climate conditions during their formation.
Permafrost additionally safeguards accumulated sediments over time. These sediments may contain pollen, plant remnants, and other geological markers that provide valuable insights into vegetation shifts and landscape dynamics in the region.
Using radiocarbon dating, the team examined the permafrost and discovered that the earliest layers in the slump formed around 6,50,000 years ago.
"With the abundance of ancient carbon in the permafrost, we aim to contribute to predicting its response to future climate change," stated Opel.
Their objective is to uncover further evidence of past conditions by exploring how the region endured global warming and intense glacial periods over the past million years.
