Inside the psychedelic salt mine: Abandoned Russian tunnels where mind-bending patterns naturally cover every surface

By Sara Malm

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Hundreds of feet below a Russian city is an abandoned salt mine which might as well be the inside of a rave.

The walls are covered with psychedelic patterns, caused by the natural layers of mineral carnallite creating swirls throughout the coloured rock.

Carnallite is used in the process of plant fertilisation, and is most often yellow to white or reddish, but can sometimes be blue or even completely colourless.     

Jaw dropping acid: The psychadelic walls inside the abandoned salt mine in Yekaterinburg, Russia more than 650ft under the surface

Jaw dropping acid: The psychadelic walls inside the abandoned salt mine in Yekaterinburg, Russia more than 650ft under the surface

Beauty below: Although the patterns appear man-made, they are all formed by layers upon layers of minerals which were mined for their use in fertilizers

Beauty below: Although the patterns appear man-made, they are all formed by layers upon layers of minerals which were mined for their use in fertilizers

Scratching the surface: The mineral carnallite, a hydrated potassium magnesium chloride, decorates the empty tunnels under Yekaterinburg

Scratching the surface: The mineral carnallite, a hydrated potassium magnesium chloride, decorates the empty tunnels under Yekaterinburg

Although a small part of the mine is still in use, miles of tunnels now lay abandoned and are only accessible with a special government permit.

But that didn't stop photographer, Mikhail Mishainik, 29, from exploring the network of passageways under ground near the industrial city of Yekaterinburg, Russia.

The Russian adventurer spent over 20 hours exploring the dimly lit labyrinth and has stayed overnight on at least three occasions.

But if sleeping 650ft below the Earth's surface isn't nerve wracking enough, Mikhail and his friends are also at risk of gas leaks and landslides.

Mikhail said: ‘The mines are huge and stretch many kilometres in width and length, a single tunnel can be over four miles long. It is hard to describe how it feels being so far down, you lose all track of time and the air is very dry, you always feel thirsty.'

Naturally unnatural: The minerals give the walls blight colours and 'psychedelic' patterns in yellow, red, blue and green

Naturally unnatural: The minerals give the walls blight colours and 'psychedelic' patterns in yellow, red, blue and green

Photographer Mikhail Mishainik, 29, spent several days and nights hundreds of feet underground to photograph the salt mine

Photographer Mikhail Mishainik, 29, spent several days and nights hundreds of feet underground to photograph the salt mine

Disco mines: Carnallite is most often yellow to white or reddish, but can sometimes be blue or even completely colourless

Disco mines: Carnallite is most often yellow to white or reddish, but can sometimes be blue or even completely colourless

Hidden treasures: Although a small part of the Yekaterinburg mine is still in use, miles of tunnels now lay abandoned and are only accessible with a special government permit

Hidden treasures: Although a small part of the Yekaterinburg mine is still in use, miles of tunnels now lay abandoned and are only accessible with a special government permit

‘The air is filled with small particles of salt and if we didn't have our torches switched on it would be pitch black.

‘It is easy to get lost as many of the passageways look the same, we navigate our way around very carefully.

Many people know about the mines but it is very difficult to access them if you don't have an official permit.

‘We take our safety very seriously but of course there are always dangers.

‘There is the possibility of a gas leak from chemicals such as methane, hydrogen sulphide carbon dioxide as well the risk of a landslide.

‘The danger element is part of the fun and it’s a special feeling being somewhere very few people have seen.’

Playing with fire: Going down the mine shafts like Mr Mishainik is not without danger as there is a risk of of gas leaks and landslides

Playing with fire: Going down the mine shafts like Mr Mishainik is not without danger as there is a risk of of gas leaks and landslides

Memories of past years: There are several reminders of what used to be down in the tunnels of the former salt mine

Memories of past years: There are several reminders of what used to be down in the tunnels of the former salt mine

With only their torches to lead their way, Mr Mishainik and his friends explored the salt caves under Yekaterinburg

With only their torches to lead their way, Mr Mishainik and his friends explored the salt caves under Yekaterinburg

Vast landscapes: The carnallite salt mines stretch for miles several hundred feet below the surface

Vast landscapes: The carnallite salt mines stretch for miles several hundred feet below the surface

Flower power vibe: The psychadelic patterns on the walls match the brightly coloured salty brine water covering the floor

Flower power vibe: The psychadelic patterns on the walls match the brightly coloured salty brine water covering the floor

Commitment: Mr Mishainik and his group of friends braved the salty air, the pressure and the high risk of landslides and gas leaks to capture the extraordinary patterns on the walls

Commitment: Mr Mishainik and his group of friends braved the salty air, the pressure and the high risk of landslides and gas leaks to capture the extraordinary patterns on the walls

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