This crater is the result of a Lunar Cry Esthar triggered over the mountains while testing the Lunatic Pandora 17 years before the events of the game; Laguna witnesses the event from afar during his ill-fated movie appearance in the area. From a gameplay perspective, the crater serves as a physical barrier which prevents the player from gaining access to the Esthar continent too early in the game. If the player attempts to fly Balamb Garden over the crater they will be stopped and Nida will exclaim about how the Garden's gauge is going berserk. This could be due to excessive magic in the area as a result of the Lunar Cry.