What is one of the most terrifying devastated places on Earth?

Ever wondered about the most hauntingly devastated places on our planet? Let's take you to a journey into the eerie landscape of the "Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site." Extending over a vast 18,000 km2 area, this site, also known as "The Polygon," lies to the south of the Irtysh River Valley in Kazakhstan. This was the stage where the former Soviet Union carried out 496 nuclear tests between 1949 and 1989. Of these, 113 were atmospheric detonations. This site also witnessed the successful testing of the Soviet Union's first hydrogen bomb, the RDS-37, in 1955.

One of the arresting images you'll encounter here is the water "oasis" nestled within a crater, an aftermath of the 1965 Chagan underground test. This test was an exploration into the feasibility of harnessing the power of nuclear explosions for civil engineering purposes. The massive explosion displaced tons of earth, creating a crater that later filled with water, earning the nickname "Atomic Lake." This site is one of the most radioactive areas in the region.

Fast forward to 30 years since the last blast, the Polygon still pulsates with radioactivity levels 400 times higher than the maximum safe limit. It's a highly restricted and perilous area. Unless specially authorized, any activity within the site's perimeter is strictly prohibited. However, the site's accessibility doesn't deter regional pastoralists and inquisitive onlookers from venturing into it. Among the permissible activities in the area include mining operations, an instance where cost-effectiveness outweighs radiation concerns.

The grim aftermath of four decades of relentless testing is still apparent in the population of the nearby town of Semey (Semipalatinsk), situated 100 km away, and the northeastern regions of Kazakhstan in general. The signs are stark in the malformations among the residents, bearing witness to the site's radioactive past.