What is the so-called “gate to hell”, the gigantic and ever-expanding crater in Siberia

In the region of Siberia, Russia more precisely near the city of Yakutsk, is the so-called “gate to hell” a name imposed by the locals in the sector.

However, in reality it would be a geological structure in the European country and its official name is Batagaika crater which was discovered in 1991 using a satellite.

This crater has made the news in recent days after a study published in the magazine Geomorphology, would indicate that this geological structure continues to grow, approximately 1 million cubic meters each year.

This was highlighted by a international team of researchers led by scientists from Lomonosov Moscow State University in Russia, and the Alfred Wegener Institute in Germany, who were in charge of the investigation.

There “door to hell “, or officially the Batagaika crater, has almost 100 meters deep and one kilometer wide . The research is clear when it comes to defining a point: the place does not stop growing after its the walls – or cliffs – are receding at an annual rate which varies between 10 and 12 meters .

As previously mentioned, It was discovered in 1991 and arose from the collapse of a section of slopes. This exposed existing permafrost, which is soil or terrain that has remained frozen and almost cement-like for thousands of years.

Even if it’s not a “door to hell » As such, it can be understood as a portal to the past, since in 2018 scientists discovered a horse breeding frozen for 40 thousand years .

This is due to the permanent thaw that the permafrost has passed, which, as explained by the research team published in Geomorphology, East “Very high “.

The figures indicate that in less than Ten years the quantification showed a widening of 200 meters . Along with this, they added that “is still actively growing “.

Although the name Batagaika Crater “gate to hell” was imposed by the locals and is recognized for that, It is not the only geological structure known by this name.

In Turkmenistan there is the Darvaza crater, with pronounced jaws 20 meters deep which emit flames towards the heights, like a miniature volcano, and 70 meters in diameter. HAS Unlike the one located in Russia, it is not a natural geological formation.

It appeared in the 70s, when a Soviet company drilled the desert in search of natural gas deposits . This means that “the gate to hell” of Turkmenistan It’s a natural gas crater in itself which ignites on contact with oxygen on the Earth’s surface.

The flames of Darvaza Crater in Turkmenistan They burned for over half a century . However, currently, They have become a threat to human health and the environment. Authorities in the region are working on a plan to deal with this situation.