Угерський газовий кратер, Geological monument near Stryi, Ukraine.
The Uhersky gas crater is a geological monument near Stryi featuring a circular depression in the ground that spans several meters across. Natural gas escapes continuously through the soil, leaving visible marks on the ground and surrounding plants in the area.
Soviet geologists discovered this natural gas formation during the 1970s while drilling for mineral resources in the Carpathian region. The findings from that era helped shape understanding of the area's geological structure.
Locals have little reason to visit this remote spot, though it reflects how closely the area's natural resources shaped scientific interest in earlier decades. The site remains a quiet reminder of humanity's attempts to understand what lies beneath the ground.
Anyone wishing to visit should contact local authorities beforehand, as permits are required to access the site. Having a knowledgeable guide present is important, given the potential risks from gas emissions in the surrounding area.
What makes this crater notable is how the gas escaping from it intensifies during wetter seasons when water levels rise. This pattern reveals the connection between underground water layers and the gas deposits below the surface.
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