Comments on “Osmosis Drives Explosions and Methane Release in Siberian Permafrost” by Morgado et al. 2024

Helge Hellevang, Mats Rouven Ippach, Mohammad Nooraiepour 

This commentary addresses the model proposed by Morgado et al. (2024) in their paper, “Osmosis Drives Explosions and Methane Release in Siberian Permafrost.” The model explores the role of osmotic pressures in explaining the formation of gas escape craters in the Western Siberian permafrost. While it presents a novel perspective on permafrost dynamics under climate change, three significant challenges primarily related to thermodynamics and process rates are discussed. These include the need to consider freezing point depression due to salinity changes, and the kinetics of cryopeg expansion and hydrate dissociation. Addressing these factors could enhance the model’s accuracy and applicability for understanding permafrost destabilization.