Science

The Hellish Desert Crater Called ‘The Door To Hell’ Has Been Burning For 40 Years

Published

5 years ago

March 18, 2020

Jack William

The Door to Hell or Gates of Hell is a natural gas crater located in the Karakum Desert of central Turkmenistan (about 168 miles from the nation’s capital, Ashgabat). It has been burning for over forty years. It definitely looks like some sort of Hell on Earth. So, what exactly is this crater, and why is it burning?

flickr/ kirvis

Turkmenistan has the world’s fourth-largest reserve of natural gas. The flaming crater was originally a level surface identified by Soviet geologists in 1971 as an area rich in gas resources. Unluckily, the ground collapsed under the weight and pressure of the drilling rigs set up at the crater.

The Door To Hell itself is 225 feet wide and 98 feet deep.

flickr/ kirvis

Thus, environmentally dangerous methane gases were released from the massive depression, which scientists forced to decide to burn out the gases. But they did not know the fire Would continue for over 40 years. The gas firing is a common practice for extreme circumstances like this because containing the gaseous outbreak would be expensive due to its large size. This is why the scientists opted for an easier, decided to light it on fire so it would burn out faster.

flickr/ Martha de Jong-Lantink

flickr/ Martha de Jong-Lantink

The fire expected to last only a few days. Instead, it continues to burn bright to this day. Now, the crater drawing visitors from all around the world.