Know how the 2007 landslide of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula affected the geography of the area and the native brown bears
Know how the 2007 landslide of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula affected the geography of the area and the native brown bears
Learn how a 2007 landslide in the geyser basin of the Kamchatka Peninsula affected the area's brown bears.
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Transcript
The Valley of Geysers in Russia’s remote Kamchatka Peninsula - brown bears come to partake in a favorite activity, a soak in the warm thermal spas. The sulfur-rich waters rid the fur off parasites and it’s a pleasant way to relax.
The hot springs are fueled by underground volcanic activity. But this is not without its dangers. In June 2007, a massive landslide changed the Valley of Geysers in a dramatic way. Millions of tons of mud and stones flowed into the valley within minutes, destroying everything in its path. It was the largest natural catastrophe in Kamchatka’s history. Most of the geysers and springs were burried beneath meters of mud and rubble. Along with it, many animals, including bears.
Those that survived, had to face a changed landscape. The treacherous mud extended for a kilometer and a half. But nature is resilient, and within a few days, the first hot springs emerged through the debris again.
The hot springs are fueled by underground volcanic activity. But this is not without its dangers. In June 2007, a massive landslide changed the Valley of Geysers in a dramatic way. Millions of tons of mud and stones flowed into the valley within minutes, destroying everything in its path. It was the largest natural catastrophe in Kamchatka’s history. Most of the geysers and springs were burried beneath meters of mud and rubble. Along with it, many animals, including bears.
Those that survived, had to face a changed landscape. The treacherous mud extended for a kilometer and a half. But nature is resilient, and within a few days, the first hot springs emerged through the debris again.