"The Gates of Hell" Burning for 50 Years

Located in the Karakum Desert of Turkmenistan, Central Asia, lies the Darvaza natural gas field, known as the "Gates to Hell." It is one of Turkmenistan's most remarkable sites, as this gas crater has been burning continuously for the past 50 years.

This gateway to hell wasn't created by nature, but rather by a mistake during a 1971 geological survey by Soviet scientists. Initially, the scientists believed it was an oil field and set up a drilling rig to conduct exploratory drilling and assess the reserves. However, it turned out to be a massive natural gas field, causing the ground beneath the rig and the camp to collapse. While there were no casualties, the entire area beneath the drill bit collapsed, creating a giant crater approximately 70 meters in diameter.

Geologists intentionally lit a fire at the sinkhole to prevent the spread of methane gas, which could poison residents in the area and contribute to the greenhouse effect. They also estimated that the gas reserves at the sinkhole were only enough to last for a few weeks. However, the fire has been burning continuously since 1971 and continues to burn fiercely to this day.

The Turkmen government was once concerned that the appearance of the Darvaza crater would cause a wave of negative public opinion. Therefore, numerous meetings were held to discuss completely extinguishing the fire. However, contrary to those fears, Gates to Hell stimulated the curiosity of many people and gradually became the most popular tourist destination in the region.

There are no guesthouses or hotels in the Karakum Desert near this volcanic crater; the only way for visitors to get there is to stay in a traditional tent located about 200 meters south of the crater. All of these tents are locally owned and locked when unoccupied. Visitors can also pitch tents in designated areas or choose a homestay in the village of Derweze, about 7 km from the crater, for $10 per night.

My Tong