The Batagay Crater appeared in the 1960s after Soviets cleared nearby forests to search for minerals, and without tree roots the landscape became more susceptible to erosion, and without tree cover it was easier for the Sun to warm the ground, kicking off a vicious cycle of permafrost melting.

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the Soviets had recently cleared a nearby forest to search for good places to mine a bunch of different minerals. Without tree roots, the landscape became more susceptible to erosion. And without tree cover, it was a lot easier for the Sun to warm the ground. In other words, the sudden lack of trees kicked off a vicious cycle of permafrost melting.

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The Doorway to the Underworld is Growing and We Can't Stop ItSciShow
Created: 8/11/2026, 1:13:07 AM

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