The Gates of Hell in Turkmenistan
This fiery pithole has been burning steadily since 1971
Around 260 kilometers north of Turkmenistan's capital city, Darvaza, lies a devilish view. A circular depression opens up in the middle of the surrounding desert and visitors are greeted by the sight of leaping flames, boiling mud, and the burning smell of ancient history.
The phenomenon goes by several names: The Gates of Hell, the Door to Hell, or as the locals call it, Shining of the Karakum (Garagum ýalkymy). The rest of the world technically refers to it as the Darvaza gas crater, but that’s not nearly as fun.
What is the Darvaza gas crater?
While some might think it's a demon door, set alight by Lucifer himself, scientists are positive it's a natural gas field that collapsed into a cavern many decades ago.
The leading theory is that in 1971, Soviet scientists were convinced the area was full of oil and gas to be extracted. So, as people do, they built a drilling rig and started digging.
At some point soon after, the entire thing collapsed, luckily with no reported casualties…
