The Doorway to the Underworld is Growing, and We Can’t Stop It

One of the most unsettling natural phenomena on Earth today is the massive Batagaika Crater in northeastern Siberia. Nicknamed the “Doorway to the Underworld,” this immense hole is not only expanding daily but also poses significant challenges to the global environment. Covering an area of approximately 88 hectares (nearly one square kilometer), it is both a warning of the planet’s changing climate and a treasure trove of ancient history.

The Origins of the Batagaika Crater

Contrary to what its name might suggest, the Batagaika Crater is not the result of a meteor impact or volcanic eruption. Instead, it is a “retrogressive thaw megaslump,” the largest of its kind in the world. This phenomenon began in the 1960s after the Soviet Union cleared a nearby forest to search for minerals. Without the trees to stabilize the soil and shield the ground from the sun, the underlying permafrost began to melt, triggering a cycle of erosion and thawing that has only intensified over the decades.

Satellite images show how the crater has steadily grown, with its shape resembling a stingray or tadpole. Its rapid expansion—from a harmless ravine to a massive megaslump—is a testament to the destructive power of melting permafrost.

What is Permafrost, and Why Does It Matter?

Permafrost is a layer of soil that has remained frozen for at least two years, often much longer. In Siberia, permafrost layers can be up to 75 meters thick, composed of alternating strata of ice, sand, peat, and other organic materials. These layers are like a time capsule, preserving biomass such as pollen, insect remains, and even animal bones from tens of thousands of years ago.

The problem begins when the upper layers of permafrost thaw. This process sets off a dangerous feedback loop:

Surface Warming: Melting snow exposes darker soil layers that absorb more heat, accelerating the thaw.
Bacterial Activity: Dormant bacteria in the thawed permafrost come to life, breaking down organic matter and releasing greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane.

Water Drainage: Meltwater and sediment flow into nearby rivers, leaving behind an expanding void.

This cycle perpetuates itself, with each thaw making the ground more unstable and vulnerable to further melting.

Environmental Impact

The Batagaika Crater’s growth has dire environmental consequences. Each year, it releases between 4,000 and 5,000 tons of organic carbon into the atmosphere. This contributes to the greenhouse effect, amplifying global warming and accelerating the thawing of other permafrost regions.

The crater’s runoff also affects the local ecosystem. Meltwater and sediments pollute nearby rivers, making the water unsafe for drinking and harming aquatic life. This has significant implications for the residents of Batagay, the small town near the crater, and downstream communities reliant on these waterways.

Despite these challenges, there is little that can be done to halt the crater’s expansion. Experts predict that its growth will naturally slow in the coming decades as it reaches the bedrock layer beneath the permafrost. However, the damage caused by its expansion will continue to have long-term repercussions.

A Geological Treasure Trove

Amid the environmental concerns, the Batagaika Crater has also become a unique site for scientific discovery. Its steep walls reveal a cross-section of Siberia’s geological and climatic history, stretching back 650,000 years.

Researchers have uncovered an array of ancient remains in the crater, from insect fossils and pollen to bones of woolly mammoths, cave lions, and bison. In 2018, scientists discovered a remarkably well-preserved 40,000-year-old foal, complete with hair and muscle tissue. Other finds include lemming remains estimated to be 330,000 years old, offering valuable insights into prehistoric ecosystems.

The crater’s self-excavating nature provides an unprecedented opportunity to study permafrost layers in detail. Scientists from around the world visit Batagaika to analyze its ice structures, sediment composition, and organic material, helping to reconstruct the environmental changes that have shaped the region over millennia.

What Lies Ahead?

The Batagaika Crater serves as a stark reminder of humanity’s impact on the environment. Its formation was triggered by deforestation and mining activities, and its continued expansion is fueled by the warming climate. As it grows, the crater underscores the urgency of addressing climate change and mitigating its effects.

At the same time, the site offers hope through the knowledge it provides. By studying the crater’s layers and the ancient life it preserves, scientists can gain a better understanding of Earth’s history and the forces driving today’s environmental challenges.

While we cannot stop the Doorway to the Underworld from growing, we can learn from it—both to better protect our planet and to appreciate the intricate connections between its past, present, and future.