The Surprising Science Behind Siberia's Snowman Lagoons

In a remarkable twist of nature, a series of oval lagoons in Siberia have formed a striking resemblance to a snowman when viewed from above. This captivating phenomenon is located near the remote village of Billings on the Chukchi Peninsula and was captured by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) aboard Landsat 8 on June 16, 2025.

Billings, established in the 1930s as a Soviet port, is situated on a narrow sandspit that separates the Arctic Ocean from a series of coastal lagoons. Despite being June, one of the warmest months in this frigid region, the lagoons remain frozen, with mean daily minimum temperatures hovering around minus 0.6 degrees Celsius (30.9 degrees Fahrenheit). This persistent ice cover is a testament to the harsh climatic conditions that characterize life in the Arctic.

The formation of these lagoons, which span approximately 22 kilometers (14 miles) from top to bottom, is not the result of human intervention but rather a natural process shaped by geological forces. The ground in this part of Siberia remains frozen for most of the year and is marked by spear-shaped ice wedges beneath the surface. During the summer, melting causes the overlying soil to slump, creating shallow depressions that fill with meltwater, leading to the formation of thermokarst lakes. Over time, consistent wind and wave patterns have elongated these lakes, resulting in their snowman-like appearance.

Interestingly, the concept of snowmen is not new; historical references date back to the Middle Ages. While the traditional snowman consists of three spherical segments, variations exist globally. For instance, in Japan, snowmen are typically made with just two segments and often lack arms. The “snowman” lagoons in Siberia, however, are a unique natural masterpiece that dwarfs the tallest snowperson on record, which was a snowwoman that held the Guinness record in 2025.

The rich history of the Chukchi Peninsula is intertwined with early Arctic exploration, notably by Commodore Joseph Billings, a British-born naval officer who led a significant surveying expedition between 1790 and 1794. Although his team did not reach Cape Billings, they produced some of the first accurate maps of the region, confirming the separation of Asia and North America by a strait. During winter, when their ships were trapped in ice, the expedition relied on reindeer for transportation, utilizing sleds to traverse the frozen landscape.

Reindeer have long been integral to the lives of the indigenous Chukchi people, who used them for hauling goods and people. Their remarkable endurance in cold temperatures and ability to forage beneath the snow make them ideal for Arctic conditions. Historical accounts suggest that the Billings expedition employed Chukchi people to manage their reindeer, with some reports indicating that dozens were used at various times. While some members of the expedition attempted to ride reindeer, their experiences were often comical, with one account detailing falls and discomfort after just a few hours of travel.

The snowman lagoons of Siberia serve as a beautiful reminder of the intricate interplay between nature and history in one of the world’s most remote regions. As scientists continue to study these formations, they not only reveal the geological processes at work but also highlight the resilience of both the environment and the people who have thrived in such challenging conditions for centuries.