At the center of the circle is a porous rock structure from which
water evaporates off. Apparently you're in some sort of place that
taps into geysers.
To your left the wire mesh continues towards a metallic doorway set
into the rocky wall. To your right, the mesh abrubtly stops, with a
railing to keep people from falling hundreds of
feet.v
The tug on you stops, and you emerge on a circular platform with the
crest of the fire nation on it. This platform is on a wire mesh that
runs around in a long circle, steam occasionally jetting through its
holes.