TikToker claims there’s a way to walk to Russia from Alaska, climate change might say otherwise
A new user to TikTok has gone viral for saying theres a way to walk to Russia from the U.S. Laub Andrew made his TikTok debut with a "geography lesson" on Feb. 22, which shows the two Diomede Islands out in the Bering Strait. ALASKA NO LONGER REQUIRING TRAVELERS TO PRESENT NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST UPON ARRIVAL Big Diomede is an 11.2-square-mile island that is a part of Russia and Little Diomede is a 2.8-square-mile island that is a part of Alaska. "These islands are only two-and-a-half miles apart, which means that in the winter when the water freezes, you can walk from the United States to Russia in only 20 minutes," Andrew explained. "To make matters even crazier, Big Diomede Island is 21 hours ahead of Little Diomede Island," he continued while he pulled up photos of the two islands. "Which means that if you were to walk from the United States to Russia, youd literally be walking into the next day. This is why they call Little Diomede island Yesterdayland and Big Diomede Tomorrowland." RUSSIAN AIRLINE AEROFLOT CREATES SPECIAL SECTION FOR PASSENGERS WHO WON'T WEAR MASKS @laubandrew Anyone wanna walk to Russia with me? original sound - Big Facts Within two weeks, Andrews video has racked up more than 1.1 million likes, more than 39,700 shares and 7,900 comments. However, people who were looking forward to traveling to Russia on foot will likely be disappointed to know the water between the two islands has not frozen in years due to climate change. WITH PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINES, ICELAND ALLOWING RESIDENTS TO SKIP QUARANTINE According to an interview conducted by Science Magazine, environmental coordinator Opik Ahkinga at Little Diomede says the Bering Sea hasnt really frozen since 2012. "We havent seen a good freeze up since 2012. When I say freeze up, I mean there was no open water to be seen around both islands for 2-plus miles," Ahkinga told the magazine in 2019. "[Instead,] we saw areas of open water on both the north and south sides of Big Diomede." Likewise, a report from National Geographic says the temperature gone up in recent years at both islands. Ice bridges between the two islands were more common during winter months decades and even centuries ago. Historical records show indigenous groups used these frozen routes to travel between the two islands. For travelers who are intent on exploring the Diomede Islands, a private boat ride is your best bet if you have the appropriate travel visas and permits and can actually find someone who can legally transport you. Military bases are stationed at each island, which is a factor that could add to already difficult travel arrangements. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER The current Native Village of Diomede in Little Diomede, Alaska is home to the Ingalikmiut Eskimo village. Its population is said to include 88 people and COVID-19 tests are available to anyone in the region, according to the Norton Sound Health Corporation. Vaccines are being administered on a priority basis.