Is Hell’s Gate actually a creepy sinkhole?

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We recommend it especially to the adventurous and to tourists who are tired of the well-trodden paths Thor’s gate viewing. Although even getting close to it is quite difficult, since contrary to its name, it is not a gate, but a gigantic and creepy sinkhole. This wonder of nature can be found in the American state of Oregon.

Thor’s well
Fotó: Shutterstock/Jeffrey Schwartz

It was once considered one of Oregon’s great mysteries Thor’s well a bowl-shaped hole carved into the basaltic shoreline of Cape Perpetua. Also known as the drain pipe of the Pacific Ocean, the seemingly bottomless well is constantly filling and emptying throughout the day.

At high tide, the water erupts like a geyser at the top and can rise up to 12 meters high.

This impressive geological formation attracts thousands of visitors each year and is one of Oregon’s most popular seaside attractions.

Thor’s well at low tide
Photo: Shutterstock/lu_sea

Researchers now believe that the Oregonian Thor’s well it began its career as a huge sea cave and was slowly formed over thousands of years as waves crashed into the volcanic rock that forms the coastline of Cape Perpetua. It eventually collapsed, leaving a bowl-shaped hole just a few meters from shore. Although it looks like a bottomless pit, the hole is only 6 meters deep.

Although it seems that Thor’s well it leads to some unknown underworld, its function is quite simple. The collapsed cave has openings at the bottom and top that allow the ocean to pass through. Water flows in continuously at low tide and slowly fills the well. At high tide, the water flows out through the lower opening and shoots upwards like a geyser. The constant filling and emptying creates the fascinating illusion that the well is draining the Pacific Ocean.

It is very important to know that Thor’s well can be dangerous: over the years, more than one onlooker has fallen into it or been swept off the rocks around the well.

Visitors must also expect waves of sports shoes. These huge waves are invisible from the shore and can reach over 46 meters above the foam line. Shoe waves are the most significant threat to the Pacific coast, as they can sweep unsuspecting victims into the sea.

Thor’s well named after Thor, the Norse god of thunder. According to local legend, Thor struck at this point on the Oregon coast, creating the giant hole we see today. Its exact location is a few kilometers south of Yachats, Oregon. The natural wonder is located right off Highway 101, making it a perfect stop for those taking a road trip along the Oregon Coast. It offers an impressive sight at any time of the day, but for an unforgettable experience, it is worth visiting an hour before high tide, because this is when the well slowly ends. The waves then crash over the bowl and explode at the top, creating the iconic geyser-like image.