The deep pit is only growing in size, and it’s a big worry

A pit known as the ‘Gateway to Hell’ has been revealed to be expanding rapidly by scientists.

And it’s not looking good for the environment on our blue planet.

The ‘Gateway to Hell’ – also known as the ‘Batagaika Crater’ – is located in the Yana highlands of Siberia and is said to be the largest of its kind.

It’s about 200 acres wide and 300 feet deep but is growing at a concerning rate.

So, here’s the science behind it.

The pit first formed when something called ‘permafrost’ soil in the Siberian tundra started to release large amounts of previously frozen methane into Earth’s atmosphere.

You may know methane as one of the gases we let out when we fart, but it is something a lot more serious in larger amounts. It is a powerful greenhouse gas – more powerful and harmful than carbon dioxide.

New research found that as the crater continues to deepen, the amount of methane and carbon gases released into the atmosphere has reached between 4,000 and 5,000 tonnes each year.

David Attenborough was right, the world we live in might be in trouble.

According to the study’s lead author, the findings ‘demonstrates how quickly permafrost degradation occurs.’