Our planet is full of beautiful and awe-inspiring geological features, but there are also those that evoke a sense of doom or foreboding. Throughout history, various natural sites have been referred to as entryways into the underworld, such as ‘hell’s gate’ or ‘mouth of hell’. Francesco Perono Cacciafoco, a professor of linguistics, explains that these names are often rooted in how a place looks and can tell us a lot about the culture and religion of a civilization.
One such location is the Batagay Crater in Siberia, known as the ‘Gateway to Hell’ among the indigenous Yakut people. This massive thermokarst crater has garnered a mythic reputation due to its loud booms and expanding pit caused by permafrost thaw. While it may not be an actual entryway to the underworld, it symbolizes the effects of climate change.
The Darvaza Gas Crater in Turkmenistan, also known as the ‘Door to Hell’, is a man-made fiery pit that has been burning since the mid-20th century. Originally formed by Soviet engineers during gas explorations, the sinkhole emits methane and other gases, creating an inhospitable open pit of fire.
Namibia’s Skeleton Coast has been referred to as the ‘Gates of Hell’ by Portuguese sailors due to its treacherous rocks and fog that have wrecked many ships. The coastline’s desolate landscape and harsh climate have earned it the name ‘Skeleton Coast’, reflecting the whale bones and ship remains scattered along the shore.
In Kenya, Hell’s Gate National Park is home to diverse wildlife and geothermal power stations. While the park’s name has various origins, it is said to be derived from the Dutch term ‘Hellegat’, meaning ‘bright passage’. The park offers a unique blend of natural beauty and geological features.
Masaya caldera in Nicaragua, known as the ‘Mouth of Hell’, is a highly active volcano that has been erupting continuously since 2015. Spanish colonizers named the volcano ‘Masaya’s Hell’ after encountering its lava lake in the 16th century. The volatile nature of the volcano has led to the temporary closure of Masaya National Park due to safety concerns.
Mount Hekla in Iceland has a long history of being referred to as the ‘Gateway to Hell’ due to its large eruptions in the Middle Ages. Monks and scholars described the volcano as an entrance to the underworld, with one poem specifically calling it ‘the prison of Judas’. The volcano’s storied past adds to its mystique and allure.
Finally, Mount Osore or Osorezan in Japan, known as the ‘dry riverbed of the netherworld’, is a Buddhist sacred site with mythic associations to the afterlife. Surrounded by eight other peaks and featuring a river believed to be the crossing into the underworld, Osorezan’s geothermal activity and sulfuric smell contribute to its eerie atmosphere.
These natural portals to the supernatural abyss offer a glimpse into the intersection of culture, mythology, and geology, shaping our understanding of the world and our place within it.
