Re: “Why would there be gas in the permafrost? Could there be old plant matter? How can there be plant matter if there is permafrost?”
That’s a really good insight.
However, I was under the general impression that almost all natural gas forms from marine organisms, not from plant life.
I had an instant thought, also, but in a different direction.
It’s hard to believe these craters are forming for the very first time in history.
Thus, there might be many more of these craters, now filled in over thousands of years, in this region.
If there are more ancient craters out there, I’ll guess each one might be a treasure chest for paleontology and archeology.
“there might be many more of these craters, now filled in over thousands of years, in this region.”
Just look at the picture background. See all those roundish bodies of water? The same thing just eroded and filled to the top with water.
The aerial view on google earth shows even more.
what about swamp gas?
Do a web search on "coalbed methane".