During an underwater volcano exploration, volcanic chimneys that resemble the "gates of hell" were captured on camera by divers for the UNESCO 1Ocean Expedition.
1Ocean Expedition
Alexis Rosenfeld, an explorer and photographer, captured footage of a volcanic island just off the coast of Panarea, which is close to Sicily in Italy. The footage was taken as part of the 1Ocean expedition, which was run in conjunction with UNESCO.
Scientists are closely observing the area for any signs of eruption or volcanic activity. According to experts, the likelihood has increased over the past few years.
Permanent gas eruptions can be seen erupting from the volcano's magma chamber just a few meters below the surface, inside the underwater crater. According to UNESCO, more than a million liters of gas can be released from here each day. Rosenfeld was also taken by the expedition to "the smoking land," a location that is more than 70 miles below the surface.
Gates of Hell
In the Smoking Land, hydrothermal vents can be seen erupting bubbles from the earth as a result of acidic fluids.
During a press conference, Rosenfeld described the experience as something that is like being at "the gates of hell." He added that there was not much to suspect on the surface. But among all the landscapes he has ever seen, the underwater volcanoes of Panarea are one of the most striking.
The Smoking Land
He and his team are in the middle of a Dante-like spectacle of volcanic chimneys that spew out burning fluids and gasses, which is somewhat like being at the gates of hell. while also being engulfed in the endless silence of the ocean, he emphasized the knowledge that life exists on Earth.
Dante Alighieri was an Italian poet and politician best known for his work, The Divine Comedy, in which he journeys through Hell, through Purgatory, and into the light of Paradise.
According to UNESCO, a designated team from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) is constantly and diligently monitoring The Smoking Land for any volcanic activity. This is because experts worry that it could pose a serious threat to nearby communities in the years to come.
Due to the unstable volcanic behavior near the Aeolian Islands, scientists are growing more concerned every day. According to their predictions and studies, an eruption and any resulting landslides could generate a massive tsunami that would greatly affect the coastal population.
According to a natural cycle, a significant explosion is predicted to occur in this region every 70 years, according to Rosenfeld. The most recent occurred at the close of the 1930s. One of the dangers in the event of an explosion is the possibility of a tsunami.
Francesco Italiano, Head of the INGV, clarified that this phenomenon travels at a speed of at least 300 km per hour. People will need to act quickly because it could hit the islands in a matter of minutes.
Panarea
According to Newsweek, the nearby volcano Stromboli, which sparked a devastating tsunami in 2002, is not far from Panarea.
On December 30, 2002, the volcano erupted, resulting in two enormous landslides and a 66-foot wave. The eastern coast was severely damaged by the tsunami. It is regarded as one of the region's most violent eruptions in the previous 100 years.
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