A view of the sea

The Fiery Mystery of Turkmenistan’s ‘Door to Hell’

In the heart of Turkmenistan's Karakum Desert lies the Darvaza gas crater, ominously dubbed the 'Door to Hell.' This fiery pit has been burning for decades

The crater's formation dates back to 1971 when Soviet geologists were drilling for natural gas. The ground beneath their rig collapsed, creating a massive sinkhole that began releasing methane gas

To prevent the spread of poisonous gases, scientists set the crater ablaze, expecting the fire to extinguish within weeks. 

The 'Door to Hell' measures approximately 70 meters in diameter and 30 meters deep

Despite its remote location, the crater has become a popular tourist destination, because of its unearthly glow, especially at night

The continuous burning of methane has raised environmental issues, prompting discussions about extinguishing the fire

Turkmenistan's government has considered measures to extinguish the crater, aiming to harness the site's natural gas reserves more effectively

In 2013, explorer George Kourounis became the first person to descend into the crater, collecting soil samples to study 

'Door to Hell' has not only become a symbol of Turkmenistan's natural wonders but also serves as a poignant reminder 

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