Published in: Helsingin Sanomat, 13th of August, 2004

- THE MYSTERIOUS DEVIL'S NEST IS THE BIGGEST DETRITUS CAVITY IN FINLAND

- Descending to the 23 meters deep and 14 meters wide Devil's Nest isn't that easy, despite the stairs. The cavity is such an experience, that the dimensions can be really felt. If one is less terrified of climbing up, you can always admire the cavity from a bird perspective and climb to the nearby tower. The Devil's Nest which is located in the Ylivalli village, in Jalasjärvi, remained a complete mystery to the local people for a long time. They were astonished by the huge hole, bottom covered with rocks. The hole was also few meters below from the rest of the ground level. The mystery of the hole was finally revealed in the eighties, when the geological Research Centre and the borough of Jalasjärvi, started to investigate and empty the hole.

- The detritus cavity of Jalasjärvi is without a doubt the biggest one in Finland. I haven't even heard that there would be anything like this in other Scandinavian countries either, says the geologist from the geological Research Centre. The Devil's Nest in Jalasjärvi has been created millions of years ago, when Finland was located close to the equator, due to the movement of continental plates. The last time that Finland was close to the equator, was some 380 million years ago. This kind of detritus cavity requires a tropical or a sub-tropical climate. According to the geologist, these kind of detritus cavities can be found for example from Africa, in the Sahara area. It really does look a bit like Africa when you use the road in Ylivalli, which leads to the Isovuori. The road is glowing from the red sand which is removed from the cavity. The glowing effect is because of the high iron concentration in the sand. The Devil's Nest is also way bigger, than any of the potholes, which have been found from Finland. The deepest pothole in Finland, is thought to be the pothole which is located in the village of Hirvas, in Rovaniemi rural district. The pothole there is some 15 meters deep and 8 meters wide, however it's full of water.

- To the present day depth, the Devil's Nest was dug in 1997, when a Keijo Parkkanen from Turku, got some back-up from Pertti "Spede" Pasanen. To the public the Devil's Nest was opened in the summer of 1999, when the youth association of Ylivalli took the responsibility of arranging and maintaining the travel activities. The tower was completed two years ago.