In Kamchatka, on the territory of the Kronotsky reserve, located near the volcano kikhpinych, there is an amazing and simultaneously terrifying place. The lower terrace of the Western slope of the volcano is called the Valley of death. Here kill all life that does not grow neither grass nor trees. Scorched, after the fire, the ground literally covered with corpses of animals and birds. What can explain the constant death of animals who come and stay here forever?
In the legends and traditions of the peoples, from ancient times inhabited the Kamchatka Peninsula, often referred to a valley where all life is obliterated. The modern inhabitants, it seemed a work of fiction, unrelated to reality. However, some of the hunters claimed that near the volcano kikhpinych there is indeed a place where, for unknown reasons, animals die instantly. But these stories did not attach any importance.
People did not believe in the existence of such valleys, despite the fact that it is located close to the Valley of geysers — one of the most popular places of Kamchatka. Moreover, just 300 metres from the Valley of death, was equipped with Parking for tourists on the route from the valley of geysers, the Uzon volcano.
The surrounding area was considered safe and well studied. Small ground covered with dead animals, discovered only in 1930, and then quite by accident. Likes two hunters chasing a hare, and he rushed to the side of the volcano kikhpinych. Going back to following the dogs, the hunters saw a small valley with a length of about two kilometers and a width of 300 metres. The traces led them to a dead hare, near which lay the corpses of their huskies. The hunters looked around the valley and saw many other dead animals: wolverines, bears, birds, foxes, field mice. The ground underneath was completely bare, without a single blade of grass. After a few minutes of being in the valley both hunters felt a strong dizziness and nausea, and hurried to get away from the terrible place.
Arriving at the village, they told about the incident and warned local residents that walk to the foot of the Western slope of the volcano Kikhpinych is very dangerous. As the hunters themselves deteriorated, they were sick a long time, but in the end both survived.
Rumors about the strange valley dispersed throughout the Soviet Union. Despite the warnings, many enthusiasts wanted to find and explore it. Dozens of Amateur expeditions from different parts of the country flocked to this place in search of clues of the mysterious events. Some never came back. According to the calculations of the far Eastern researchers, in the prewar and postwar years in this anomalous zone has killed about 80 people. Many died in the valley, and after the completion of the expedition. They have experienced the same symptoms — headache and nausea, they rose and subsided, the temperature and, ultimately, the disease led to death.
Professional learning terrible valley began only in the 1970-ies. In 1972 on the territory of the Kronotsky nature reserve was opened, the hot springs, and his staff began the systematic survey area. Three years later, the Valley of death, independently from each other, was discovered by volcanologist V. Leonov and V. Kalyaev Forester. This was most notable geographical discovery in the reserve.
Scientists have suggested that the cause of mass death of animals and the poisoning of people become toxic volcanic gases reaching the surface through cracks in the rock.
From 1975 to 1983 volcanologists analyzed the gas composition of the emissions, and the reserve staff carried out regular observations of dead animals. It was carefully examined more than 200 bodies of animals and birds, among which the representatives of the smaller species, such as birds of passerines and rodents, was much more than the others. But, big animals and birds can also be found.
Systematic research work has borne fruit — the scientists were able to establish time of death of the animals coincides with periods when valley is released from the snow (may-October). In early spring the first victims of the valley was small rodents and birds passerines. Then, in deadly a Fox, sensing easy prey, and he was also killed. After them came the wolverines, also wanted to profit on dead animals, but the valley became fatal for them. To decaying corpses down the crows and the eagles, and they were waiting for the same fate. It only remained to figure out exactly how the valley is killing animals and birds.
Initial studies have shown that the death of animals occurs due to high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide in the air. This was noted and a touch of sulphur on the rocks around.
It was found that death Valley is located on the rise of gas jets from great depths. In calm weather the poisonous gases accumulate in lowlands, whereas in open ventilated areas the concentration is not dangerous. Such natural phenomena are known in many other parts of the world, characterized by volcanic activity.
In the US, near Yellowstone national Park, there is a place named Dead valley, there are regularly dead grizzly bears. In Java (Indonesia) there are several similar valleys in which are registered the death of animals and even people. In Russia the regular death of the animals occurs on the island and brat chirpoev (Big Kuril ridge).
Scientists who conducted the study in death Valley, the user had to work in gas masks. But some of them have neglected this precaution and, as a result, felt a headache, heat in the nape, dizziness and weakness. However, when entering a well-ventilated space, the condition quickly improved. However, one of the researchers had nearly paid with his life: working without a mask, he leaned over and accidentally hit the center broke out of the earth, jets of gas. Lucky comrades were able to quickly remove victim from the valley and to provide the necessary assistance.
However, the theory of death of animals from sulfide and carbon dioxide did not explain all the facts related to the death of animals and birds. These toxic substances are very slowly. Animals, especially large ones, during this time, could run away from dangerous places. But it happened not always.
Natural food chain has led to the death of all its components. When reserve staff began to clean up the bodies, the chain was broken, and death had become much smaller.
The researchers concluded that the remains of dead animals as deadly as the gas that destroyed them. In addition, were found the bodies of bears, which, judging by indirect signs, visited the valley and got out of it. These bodies were found several kilometers away from the terrible place. Their autopsy showed multiple hemorrhages in all internal organs, which does not occur in poisoning with hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide.
Only in 1982, scientists discovered that, in addition to these toxic substances, the air in the valley contain a pair of CYANOGEN chloride (CYANOGEN chloride). This gas is known for its deadly properties, during the Second world war it was even used as a weapon of mass destruction.
All gaseous cyanides are very fast, because, penetrating into the body of a living being, immediately block cellular respiration. As a result, the death occurs in a few minutes or even seconds, depending on the concentration of the poison. Mass internal bleeding characteristic of the dead from the inhalation of cyanides. Also the cyanides tend to accumulate in the body and lead to death of animals that will feed on such carrion. However, this discovery does not give a complete picture of what is happening in the mysterious Valley of death.
The question immediately arises: why cyanide didn't work for the researchers, many of whom worked without masks? It is known that CYANOGEN chloride, even at low concentrations, may cause profuse lacrimation. However, none of the scientists felt.
The second weird thing is the cyanide killed all life, including microorganisms. In the valley of the many decomposed corpses of animals, but some of them are rotting. But this is the result of bacteria that cause decay. It turns out that they are, at least partially, do not die.
In addition, some animals gnawed corpses to skeletons. Who made this if due to the actions of cyanide in the valley could not survive more than a few minutes? And how lifeless Kamchatka death Valley? While it continues to keep their secrets. And it is the phenomenon scientists are yet to solve.