Siberia"s Batagay megaslump reveals ancient permafrost layers
- The Batagay megaslump is the largest in the world, formed in the 1970s due to hillside collapse.
- It exposes permafrost layers up to 650,000 years old, providing critical data for paleoclimate research.
- The site is expanding rapidly, revealing ancient ecosystems and offering insights into climate change.
The Batagay megaslump, located in Siberia's Yana Uplands, is the largest of its kind globally, having formed in the 1970s when a hillside collapsed. Discovered in 1991 through satellite imagery, it measures 3,250 feet wide and has a headwall that stands 180 feet high. The site exposes ancient permafrost layers that date back up to 650,000 years, making it a significant location for paleoclimate research. Researchers have noted that the megaslump is expanding at a rate of approximately 35 million cubic feet annually, with the headwall retreating by 40 feet each year due to thawing permafrost. This phenomenon is attributed to the region's high ice content in the permafrost, which has been exacerbated by deforestation since the 1940s, leading to rapid erosion and increased melting. The exposed permafrost layers provide valuable insights into past climates and ancient ecosystems. Notably, in 2018, a remarkably preserved 42,000-year-old horse foal was discovered, highlighting the potential for finding ancient DNA in the site. The Batagay megaslump serves as a crucial laboratory for scientists studying climate change and its effects on ancient life, offering a rare opportunity to understand the historical climate and biological diversity of the region.