The Darvaza gas crater in Turkmenistan, known as the “Gates of Hell,” has been burning since 1971 when geologists set it ablaze, expecting the fire to extinguish within weeks. Instead, it continues to burn 53 years later. This fiery crater, located in the desert near the village of Darvaza, spans 230 feet in diameter and 100 feet deep, filled with methane and other gases.
The most accepted account of the crater’s formation dates back to 1971, during a Soviet gas drilling operation. The drilling rig accidentally punctured a natural gas reservoir, causing the ground to collapse and a massive gas leak. To prevent environmental disaster and potential poisoning of nearby villagers, Soviet scientists ignited the gas, assuming it would burn out quickly. Contrary to their expectations, the fire persists to this day.
Despite plans announced by Turkmenistan’s president to close the Gates of Hell, the crater remains ablaze. It sits atop the Amu-Darya Basin, a rich oil and natural gas region spanning Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The constant influx of methane from the basin fuels the ongoing fire.
Visible from miles away, the Darvaza gas crater has become a major tourist attraction, drawing around 10,000 visitors annually. It gained additional fame in 2019 when Turkmenistan’s president released a video of himself driving a rally car around the crater’s edge.
