The Door to Hell: Turkmenistan’s Burning Gas Crater

In the vast, scorching Karakum Desert of Turkmenistan, lies a fiery anomaly known as the Darvaza gas crater, or more ominously, “The Door to Hell.” This 60-meter-wide and 20-meter-deep crater has been burning continuously for over 40 years, creating a mesmerizing yet eerie glow visible from miles away on dark nights.

Unlike other natural wonders, this crater is man-made, born from a Soviet gas exploration accident in 1971. While drilling in the gas-rich Darvaza area, geologists accidentally tapped into a massive underground cavern filled with natural gas. The ground collapsed, swallowing the drilling rig, and in a bid to prevent the spread of toxic gases, the team ignited the crater, assuming it would burn out in a matter of days. But days turned into decades, and the inferno still blazes on.

Approaching the crater, the scent of burning sulfur fills the air, growing stronger as you near its molten edge. The spectacle of the glowing, fiery pit surrounded by the desolate desert is a surreal reminder of humanity’s unpredictable relationship with nature. What was intended to be a brief burn has become a lasting flame, earning its ominous nickname, “The Door to Hell.”