Seismologists suspect explosions damaged undersea pipelines that carry Russian gas
Seismologists suspect explosions damaged undersea pipelines that carry Russian gas
September 27, 20223:17 PM ET
GEOFF BRUMFIELFacebookTwitterInstagram
A large disturbance in the sea can be observed Tuesday off the coast of the Danish island of Bornholm following unusual leaks in two natural gas pipelines running from Russia under the Baltic Sea to Germany. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen says she “cannot rule out” sabotage on Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2.
Danish Defence Command via AP
Two undersea leaks that began in the Russian-owned Nord Stream gas pipelines on Monday were likely caused by powerful underwater explosions, according to Swedish and Danish seismographic data.
It is “very clear from the seismic record that these are blasts,” Björn Lund, director of the Swedish National Seismic Network at Uppsala University told NPR in a phone interview. “These are not earthquakes; they are not landslides underwater.”
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German and Danish officials said both the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines showed sudden losses of pressure late Monday, which they said could only be caused by a leak from large holes in the pipelines.
Neither of the pipelines are active, as Russia has cut gas deliveries in them, but both were filled with natural gas when the drop in pressure occurred. Russian energy giant Gazprom, a state entity, owns a controlling interest in both pipelines.
Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said on Tuesday that her government suspected the leaks were deliberate actions.
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