7 August 2005 Updated.

6 August 2005


Cryptome asked for information on this strange-looking site in southeastern Russia:

http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=57.599439,134.634018&spn=0.249564,0.600128&t=h&hl=en


A1 writes:

I noticed Google Maps had the lattitude and longtitude in the URL, which made the location easy to find with NASA's worldwind (http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov/), which I prefer to Google. Seems like some sort of volcano/crater.


A2 writes:

Just a quick comment on the recent Cryptome posting.  That pic is of an old Russia volcano, most likely Ipelka but possibly a couple others.  The thin ribbon leaving on one side is the lava flow, and the red field on the opposite side is possibly the debris field after an eruption. 

http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/north_asia/kamchatka/ipelka.html


A3 writes:

With reference to "Russia-what?," to the best of my knowledge the image appears to be an open cast mine, possibly, and perhaps a gold mine. The Dzhugdzhur mountain range has quite a few workings since the 1920's.


A4 writes:

Probably a complete coincidence, but when I googled for the most significant portion of the Lat./Long., a crater came up on mars in the identical location:

http://www.msss.com/moc_gallery/e07_e12/images/E12/E1202266.html

Google search:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=enq=57.6+134.6&btnG=Google+Search

Feature is called Gora Konder, it is unknown whether it is a sunken caldera or a meteor impact.

"This is Gora Konder crater in Yakutsk.

According to NASA:
Title: Gora Konder Crater, Yakutsk, CIS
Description:

Gora Konder Crater, Yakutsk, CIS (57.5N,134.5E) is located in a very remote region of the Republic of Yakutsk, CIS where little ground survey work has been done. It is not known for certain wether Gora Konder crater is the extinct caldera of an ancient volcano or an impact crater from a meteor strike since both occurrences may often exhibit similar visual appearances and only a ground survey can make a positive determination."

Links:

http://www.googleearthhacks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=315

http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/mirrors/images/html/STS39.htm

Image source: http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/mirrors/images/images/pao/STS39/10064185.jpg
[Rotated to match Google image.]

Text source: http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/mirrors/images/images/pao/STS39/10064185.htm

NASA Photo ID: STS039-84-029AE File Name: 10064185.jpg
Film Type: 70mm Date Taken: 05/06/91
Title: Gora Konder Crater, Yakutsk, CIS
Description:

Gora Konder Crater, Yakutsk, CIS (57.5N,134.5E) is located in a very remote   region of the Republic of Yakutsk, CIS where little ground survey work has been done. It is not known for certain wether Gora Konder crater is the extinct caldera of an ancient volcano or an impact crater from a meteor strike since both occurrences may often exhibit similar visual appearances and only a ground survey can make a positive determination.

Subject terms:

EARTH OBSERVATIONS (FROM SPACE)
METEORITE CRATERS
MOUNTAINS
STS-39
VOLCANOES