Patomskiy crater

The Patomsky Crater (Russian Патомский кратер, English Patom crater, Patomsky crater ) is a crater- like structure in Patomsky highlands in the district Bodaybinskiy, Irkutsk Oblast, Siberia. The structure was discovered in 1949 by geologist Vladimir Kolpakov.

The structure has a diameter of 180 m and a height of 40 m. Scientific expeditions were held 2006, 2008 and 2010. Dendrologic studies point to an age of 480 years or more. The mass of aufgeworfenenen rocks is estimated at about one million tonnes.

The findings point to a volcano, which could be caused by steam and gas outbursts. In particular, it could act to Kryovulkanismus from the Little Ice Age, according to the results of the fifth expedition.