Everyone has thought about it: Doomsday. The supposed eventual end of the world, the coming of days, and the end of times. In short, the apocalypse. While scientists have made clear what they anticipate will bring it about, there's no saying when - or if - it would even happen. And for those well-versed in traveling, well... things might get interesting when that day comes.
Recently, researchers from both the University of Bologna and the University of Padua have begun studying lava ducts, also known as pyroducts, in order to see if they'd prove worthy in serving as a bunker-type shelter. While the studies have been ongoing here on earth, researchers have now extended their reach to both the moon and Mars in order to see if, when space travel is an option, lava ducts could be used as shelter there, too.
The consensus as of now is that it could very well be possible to use these natural tubes as underground bases, thus ensuring the survival of some of the population should anything catastrophic ever happen. The benefit of lava tubes on both the moon and Mars is that they're 100 times the size of those on earth with some reaching a length of 25 miles, which means they could serve as a viable source of both protection and habitation. However, these aren't the only shelters that experts recommend... some earthly locations are just as good as lava tubes.
Kelvedon Hatch In The UK
Essex is known for many things, but an underground bunker probably isn't one of them. The Kelvedon Hatch was created during the Cold War underneath what appeared to be an ordinary bungalow, thus concealing the protection that lies just under the surface. In the event of nuclear war, this bunker would have provided the protection necessary to guard against radiation, shrapnel, and whatever else the impact caused.
It can be found now via a sign that reads, 'Secret Nuclear Bunker,' very obviously giving away its previously undisclosed location. However, this bunker only holds 600 people at its 38-meter depth.
Krubera Cave In Georgia
A more natural location (and one that doesn't require top-secret clearance in order to access) is Krubera Cave, also known as one of the deepest caves in the world. This cave goes down 2,191 meters into the earth, making it the perfect place to wait out any apocalyptic events that are occurring at the surface.
While this cave isn't government-protected or man-made, it is off-limits to those who don't have extensive cave experience. Visitors don't need to be professional cave-divers in order to see it, but they do need to have some type of professional experience clearance before exploring its depths. For comparison, the deepest cave in the world is the Veryovkina Cave, which is 7,257 feet deep, while the Krubera Cave is 7,208 - not much of a difference in terms of depth!
The Paris Catacombs
The Catacombs in Paris have long attracted many a tourist with morbid curiosity, but these eerie underground tunnels could also double as a means for protection, should anything ever threaten to shake the world to its core. While the Catacombs hold the remains of something like six-million people, it's those left alive who would be running into its depths during the end of times.
These tunnels extend as far as 174 miles in any direction, providing a decent amount of underground space for a tremendous number of people. They were also used during the Second World War in France, thus proving their efficiency at providing protection as a place of hiding. France isn't the only place with catacombs, however, and any one of them would be a great option. For those who want to explore the macabre just to see it, the Catacombs are open for tours.
The Greenbrier In West Virginia
The US clearly had the same idea as the UK when it came to underground bunkers, as one was also built in North America in West Virginia, under the hotel known as The Greenbrier. The intent of this bunker was to protect the US Congress in the event that something apocalyptic should happen, but alas, was never actually used.
For 30 years, the US government kept this underground hideout stocked, all through the Cold War, until it was decided that The Greenbrier was useless. However, it's now a cool feature of The Greenbrier Hotel, and guests who stay there can tour the underground digs while they imagine all the ways the world could possibly end.