In the Kronotsky Reserve on Kamchatka, there lies the Uzon Volcano, which formed at the site of an ancient colossal structure. According to scientists, its height once exceeded 3,000 meters above sea level. Around 40,000 years ago, the giant proto-volcano erupted, resulting in a powerful cataclysm that led to the formation of Uzon and its caldera – a depression up to 12 kilometers in diameter. In 1996, Uzon and its caldera were included in the UNESCO list as a natural monument requiring special care. The size of the caldera is impressive; it is one of the largest on the peninsula, covering an area of approximately 100 square meters and situated at an elevation of 700 meters above sea level. Almost entirely surrounded by steep cliffs, the caldera encloses an outer plateau where the Baraniy Peak stands. In the eastern part, one can see a massive explosion crater stretching over one and a half kilometers, now filled by Lake Dalnoye. This lake is a relatively recent formation, being around 7,600 years old. Lakes are also present, particularly in the western part, where swampy areas are found. The largest and shallowest of these is the Central Lake, which is also the coldest and contains fresh water, supporting a population of char fish. This fish could have been a delicacy for bears, but the steepness of the banks prevents them from reaching the lake, allowing the char to live peacefully in the Central Lake. In other caldera water bodies, fumaroles are found on the lakebeds, causing the water to bubble with gas bubbles. One such lake, Bannoye, never freezes, maintaining a temperature around +40°C even in winter. The reason lies in the unique structure of its lakebed, where a crust of solidified sulfur covers a layer of molten sulfur below, with radon outlets also present. Bannoye is quite small, about 30 meters in diameter. Another lake is the Chloride Lake. Its water has a white-grayish color due to its chloride-sodium composition. Numerous thermal springs and funnels lie on its bed, releasing gas bubbles to the surface, creating the illusion of boiling water. The water is warm but not hot, and the air above is filled with a hydrogen sulfide smell. Despite these conditions, life thrives here, with algae and unicellular organisms – archaea – inhabiting the water. These organisms survive by utilizing oxygen produced by algae through photosynthesis, which combines with hydrogen sulfide to form sulfur, serving as a food source for the archaea. The archaea consume only part of the sulfur, leaving the rest to accumulate along the shore, forming a bright yellow Sulfur Beach. A stream containing sulfuric acid flows out of Chloride Lake. In addition to lakes, Uzon’s water resources include numerous rivers and streams that converge to form the Shumnaya River. The caldera’s landscape is diverse and beautiful, with ongoing geological processes reflecting the living pulse of the Earth's depths. The fumarole fields offer a fantastic sight, with steam columns erupting from the ground with a roar. This thermal activity is concentrated in the western part of the caldera, where over a hundred hot springs and around five hundred other thermal manifestations are found. The caldera hosts five thermal fields, but only one site in the Eastern Field is open to tourists. Here, mud pots named Sculptor, Artist, and Apprentice impress visitors. These names were given because the hot steam, emerging onto the muddy surface from underground, shapes it into various configurations, often reminiscent of modern art creations. In 2008, a new geyser emerged in Uzon, witnessed by researchers. The newborn geyser was named Muddy for its appearance, and its steam and water column rises up to 6 meters. Underground waters in the area contain various chemical elements, including copper, cobalt, iron, sulfur, and others. Once these elements reach the surface, they color the clay in different hues, creating a vivid display. Shades of red, yellow, brown, bluish, and gray are all visible. Such unique natural conditions support diverse flora and fauna in the caldera. Life exists even in toxic solutions, providing habitat for certain types of algae and bacteria. These organisms, which don’t require oxygen, thrive on hydrogen sulfide and sulfur, making the otherwise deadly environment ideal for them. In the 1990s, scientists discovered thionic bacteria in the sulfur-boiling waters, which can live comfortably at temperatures of 90°C. Their presence can even be observed visually, as they tint the water white. Starting in April, bears enter the Uzon Caldera, attracted by the abundance of berries and nuts. Numerous birds, such as ducks, swans, Steller's sea eagles, and waders, also inhabit the area, laying their eggs directly in the thermal fields, which act as natural incubators. In certain spots, only ferns grow, evoking images of ancient Earth. There are also forests of stone birch trees, whose twisted trunks give them a "dancing" appearance, hence the name "Dancing Forest." Besides birches, there are cedar elfin trees, and beneath them, moss, grass, and an abundance of berries grow. Picking anything in this protected area is strictly prohibited. People can visit the Uzon Caldera only as part of a guided tour, following a designated route led by a guide.