Thor's Well, the gate to hell

The Well of Thor which is often also referred to as the "Gate to Hell" is a true geological rarity, and one of the most spectacular natural depressions of our planet. It is located on the Oregon Coast, just a short distance from Cape Perpetua right in the Siuslaw National Forest Reserve. The well appears to be a bottomless hole, and an entrance to a secret underwater world which is ready to suck in anyone who comes too close. It is actually a Dolina Marina, a large natural cavity which is covered by the waves of of the Pacific Ocean, creating scenographic whirls, water games and splashes which almost give the effect of a geyser. It is only 6 meters deep, but during high tide, the waters fill the cracks of the well and all of the intricate underground caves it contains. Everything goes completely submerged, and seems to completely disappear without a trace. Thor's Well is a phenomenon known to Americans as the "Drain of the Pacific Ocean" and takes its name from the tale that the well was created by the powerful God of Thor. It?s not very easy to capture the phenomenon via photos, because the surrounding area can get very slippery and the waves are extremely violent. It is not advisable to get too close to the well. For those who do want to observe this natural phenomenon, the best and safest places to view it from is "Cook's Chasm" or the many pathways of Cape Perpetua.

"The photos on this site are owned by users or purchased from image banks"