The Patom crater and its riddle

The north of Irkutsk region differs from other placesSiberia is not only a special beauty of landscapes, but also the existence of an object whose origin is still a mystery to scientists. The Patom crater, or "Mountain Eagle Nest", was discovered in the middle of the 20th century. Geologist Vadim Kolpakov then did not even imagine that around his opening will be focused much public attention. The mystery of the Patom crater is that there are several versions of its formation, none of which has found more or less convincing evidence.

The history of the discovery of the Siberian crater: how it was

The history of the discovery of an unusual geologicaleducation in the Siberian taiga is very unusual. Patomsky crater, whose photo is not so often, but still can be seen in the media, was initially adopted by Vadim Kolpakov and a group of geologists who make up the geological map of the region for a normal mirage.

It happened all summer, the weather was very hot. A huge object resembling a pyramid was later classified by scientists as a mine pit, but there were no signs of mining near. It was then, in 1949, Vadim Kolpakov realized that the Patomsky Crater is something unusual. Several hypotheses he put forward concerning the reasons for his formation: the origin of a new volcano, a trace from a fallen meteorite, or radioactive reactions taking place in depth.

The first hypothesis: the fall of a meteorite

The first expedition, which went to investigatePatomsky crater, the coordinates of which were fixed Kolpakov, was collected only after almost 15 years - in 1963. It was then that the size of this atypical geological site was established, as well as materials that could shed light on its origin. However, even this did not help to determine with certainty why a large crater formed in the middle of the green hills covered with conifers.

In favor of the fall of the meteorite, suchsigns, like the shape of the crater and the angle of its slopes. At the same time, no signs of meteorite rocks were found on the bottom of the giant crater. Even the two-hundred-meter pit made did not help the researchers in finding any evidence that speaks of the space trail.

The volcano or ...

The second at first convincing version, why intaiga appeared Patomsky crater - volcanic activity. However, taking into account the structure of the tectonic plate, as well as the absence of seismic activity in this region in the last few centuries, scientists were forced to abandon this hypothesis. In addition, the newly born volcano (the shape of the crater most suited to this definition) could not immediately cease to exist, but continued to throw out of its bowels of characteristic rocks and gases, as it usually happens during their inception.

Echo of the Tunguska meteorite?

The next version of the origin of the crater wasput forward a few decades later AM Portnov. Having collected another expedition to study the Patomsky Crater (2013), the scientist tried to find the "Tungus trace". The fact is that this education was very similar to another object located on a direct line between the Patomsky crater and the place where the Tunguska meteorite allegedly fell. However, this version very quickly failed, as the larch growing on the slopes of unusual geological formation grew there much earlier than the fall of the meteorite on the Tunguska River (about 130-150 years). Based on these facts, scientists rejected the version of the connection between a meteorite and a geological formation, such as the Patomsky Crater. 2014 also did not reveal anything new, except, perhaps, a "radioactive trace."

Nuclear reaction or something else?

Despite the stable radiation background in the regionunexplained arisen geological formation, there is a version of the fact that the initiation of its emergence could decay radioactive substances. Spill from the trees, made during the next expedition, allowed scientists to find out that the Patomsky crater has a certain connection with them. The annual layers of larch growing in the immediate vicinity of it contained isotopes. Judging by the kind of annual increments in which radioactive substances were localized, the experts established an approximate date for the surge of such activity: around 1845. All this prompted geologists and other specialists to think about the possible involvement of flying objects from other planets that used uranium as fuel.

Alien trail

According to some scientists, the Patomsky Crater inIrkutsk region could arise as a result of a collision with the Earth of a cylindrical object. Why cylindrical? Firstly, the depth of the crater speaks of a sufficiently deep penetration of the body into the rocks, and this is typical for such forms of falling objects. Secondly, around the crater there are no stones and fragments, which when falling cylindrical objects appear almost always in large quantities. The hypothesis is based on the fact that the cylinder, after penetrating to a depth of about 300 meters, came across a gas pocket, as a result of which the rocks crushed by it were squeezed onto the surface. To date, this version is considered one of the most believable, and the lack of evidence of the fall of the space object is due to the fact that in the 18th century (the established date for the emergence of the Patomsky Crater) this area was not inhabited.

Yakut legends about the Patomsky crater

Whatever it was, but the Patomsky crater for a long timeis known throughout the district. The locals who call it the "Nest of the Mountain Eagle", there are many legends and legends connected with this place. It is said that near him people have an inexplicable sense of fear, sadness or doom. Everyone who once settled near him, soon died: they committed suicide or were torn to pieces by bears. Of course, for taiga such cases can be ordinary, but only in winter or early spring. However, in the vicinity of the Patomsky crater, unexplained events occur: bears attack in the summer, which is not typical for them.

Participants in geological expeditions,Those who were sent to this place also witnessed inexplicable events. So, in 2004, on the approach to the crater, the Irkutsk geologist Eugene Vorobyov unexpectedly died for everyone. As it turned out later, he had a heart attack, although the scientist did not complain at first. Of course, this event can be attributed to the usual fatigue due to a long transition in the taiga, but other members of the expedition also felt very uncomfortable.

Despite the fact that a huge amount ofthe number of facts, materials and other information that could shed light on the origin of the Patomsky Crater, the story with him is just beginning. It is possible that over the years geologists, anthropologists and scientists from other regions will be able to find out how this miracle appeared in the middle of the deaf taiga.