Siberia's growing 'gate to hell' crater sparks climate fears

On Earth, many places are called "gates to hell." Some date back to antiquity, while others were formed much later. Why are they called this, and where exactly can they be found?

As noted on the IFL Science portal, some strange places were long believed to be gateways to the underworld. Others owe their name primarily to the impressive geological effects, volcanic activity, or even simple inaccessibility or danger to humans from the beginning.

The most recent example is the Siberian "gate to hell," a disturbing anomaly in Russia that makes its presence strongly felt. This refers to the Batagaika crater, which undergoes changes meticulously described by researchers from around the world. They first focused their attention on this place in the 1960s.

Each year, it gets more prominent, which is most often attributed to climate changes causing the permafrost to melt. In 2014, the crater's width was about 865 yards, but in 2023, it was measured to be almost 1,094 yards wide. There are concerns that the melting permafrost may reveal large quantities of dead animals or plants that have not decomposed completely and pathogens hidden for millennia.

In contrast, consider the age of its formation: the "gate to hell" in Turkey, also called "Pluto's gate." It was discovered in 2013 but dates back to antiquity. Scientists believe that the ancient Greeks and Romans regarded this place (part of a temple dedicated to Hades) as a portal connecting the world of the living with the underground realm of the dead.

Interestingly, this place poses a danger to humans. The nearby cave is filled with gases that seep through a crack. Research has shown that they are primarily volcanic carbon dioxide. Their concentration varies depending on proximity to the entrance. This may explain why ancient observers saw mysteriously dying animals sent to the gate by priests paying tribute to the gods. Today, the victims are mainly birds, unaware of the danger.

Other well-known places of this type are located, for example, in our country (Hellam Township in Pennsylvania), in Turkmenistan (Darvaza crater), China (Fengdu, the so-called "ghost city"), and Kenya, where a "gate to hell" can be found in one of the local national parks (Hells Gate National Park). It consists of a gorge formed by volcanic processes and tectonic activity.