Legendary volcanoes, geysers and faultlines found in Iceland, Mexico,
Greece, Italy and Japan appear to descend into another reality -- an
underworld deep within the earth. In some cases, they have been seen as
'hellmouths'. We will investigate each of these places and reveal the
geological reasons they evoked such fear and awe.We will also launch a
larger exploration into the history of the concept of the underworld:
civilizations have often conceived of a physical world within the earth
that operates with its own structure and rules. From Dante's Inferno to
the Mayan Gates of Hell, each legend speaks of a portal divided into a
series of steps. We will decode the symbolism of each passage, identify
the unique elements from each civilization, and reveal the universal
truths to the timeless concept of the underworld.