🔥 “The Door to Hell” — A Giant Fire Pit That’s Been Burning for Over 50 Years in Turkmenistan

In the heart of Central Asia, deep in the sands of the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan, lies one of the most surreal and eerie places on Earth — a massive burning crater known as “The Door to Hell.” For over five decades, it has been on fire, lighting up the desert night with an otherworldly glow and defying all efforts to extinguish it.

But how did this infernal pit begin? Why is it still burning? And what makes it one of the strangest natural (and man-made) wonders in the world?

🕳️ What Is the Door to Hell?

• Real Name: Darvaza Gas Crater
• Location: Karakum Desert, Turkmenistan
• Coordinates: 40.2525° N, 58.4395° E
• Diameter: ~70 meters
• Depth: ~30 meters
• Status: Continuously burning since 1971

This crater looks like the mouth of a volcano — except it’s not volcanic. The flames aren’t from molten lava, but from burning natural gas that’s leaking through underground fissures.

🛢️ How Did It Start?

🎯 The 1971 Soviet Drilling Accident

In 1971, Soviet engineers were drilling in the Karakum Desert to tap into natural gas reserves. During drilling:

• The ground collapsed, forming a wide crater.
• Engineers realized it was leaking large amounts of methane — a flammable and poisonous gas.
• To avoid environmental disaster, they set the gas on fire, expecting it to burn out in a few days.

🔥 What Happened?

• The gas never stopped leaking.
• The fire never went out.
• The site has been burning non-stop for over 50 years.

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🌍 Why Is It Called “The Door to Hell”?

• At night, the glowing flames and intense heat create a hellish landscape.
• Locals gave it the name “Gates of Hell” or “Door to Hell” because of:
  • The fiery glow
  • Sulfuric heat
  • Unnatural size and persistence
• The name has stuck ever since — and tourists from around the world now travel to witness this burning pit of mystery.

📸 What You’ll See If You Visit

• A massive, circular crater filled with dancing orange flames and blazing heat.
• The desert around it is completely dark and silent — making the crater seem even more surreal.
• It roars quietly, emitting hot waves of air you can feel from a distance.

🌿 Environmental Impact

• The burning crater continuously releases CO₂ and methane, contributing to climate change.
• In recent years, Turkmenistan’s president ordered scientists to find a way to extinguish the fire.
• Despite the concerns, many locals and businesses rely on the tourism income the site brings in.

🧪 Scientific Interest

Scientists and geologists are fascinated by:

• How natural gas fields behave when left uncapped.
• The crater’s unique geothermal properties.
• The possibility of microbial life forms surviving in extreme temperatures.

NASA has shown interest in studying such environments because they mimic conditions on Mars and other planets.

✈️ How to Visit the Door to Hell

• Nearest city: Ashgabat (the capital of Turkmenistan)
• From Ashgabat: Around 260 km drive to the crater
• Best time: At night — for the full glowing effect
• Tip: Bring water, warm clothes, and a local guide. The desert can be harsh.

🧠 Fun Fact

In 2013, Canadian explorer George Kourounis became the first person to descend into the crater, wearing a heat-resistant suit. He collected soil samples for extremophile life — proving life can survive even in hellish conditions.