A Portal to the Underworld ?
In the heart of Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert, a vast, flaming pit has been burning for over five decades. Locals call it the “Door to Hell”, an infernal chasm that glows against the dark desert night. The Darvaza Gas Crater, as it is officially known, is one of the world’s most mysterious geological phenomena.
This gaping hole, roughly 230 feet wide and 100 feet deep, was created in 1971 due to a drilling accident. When geologists set the leaking methane gas alight to prevent toxic emissions, they expected the fire to die out in a few days. Yet, more than 50 years later, the flames are still burning.
The Origin of the Darvaza Gas Crater
The Soviet Drilling Incident
In 1971, a team of Soviet geologists began drilling in the Karakum Desert, hoping to extract natural gas. The ground beneath them was rich in methane deposits, but their calculations were disastrously wrong.
As they drilled deeper, the ground collapsed, swallowing their equipment and creating a gaping hole in the desert floor. From the depths of the crater, toxic methane gas began seeping into the air.
To avoid an environmental disaster, the scientists made a bold decision: they set the methane gas on fire, believing it would burn off in a few days. But what they had created was not a temporary blaze—it was an inferno that would last for decades.
Why Does the Fire Still Burn?
A Never-Ending Inferno
Fifty years later, the Darvaza Crater remains ablaze, and scientists are still puzzled by its longevity. The methane deposits beneath the surface appear to be far more extensive than originally thought. The fire has not consumed all the fuel, which allows it to keep burning.
The intense flames reach temperatures of over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, making it impossible to explore the depths of the crater safely. Even drones struggle to withstand the extreme heat.
Legends and Superstitions
A Gateway to the Underworld?
To the people of Turkmenistan, the Darvaza Crater is more than just a geological phenomenon—it is a place of superstition and mystery.
Some believe it is a portal to the underworld, a gateway where spirits and demons emerge. Stories tell of strange lights appearing in the sky above the crater, and some visitors report an unnerving feeling of being watched when standing near the flames.
Could there be something more sinister lurking beneath the fiery depths?
Exploring the Door to Hell
A Tourist Attraction Unlike Any Other
Despite its eerie nature, the Darvaza Crater has become one of Turkmenistan’s most famous tourist attractions. Adventurers and thrill-seekers travel across the harsh Karakum Desert just to witness its fiery glow.
Visitors describe the experience as both mesmerizing and terrifying—standing at the edge of a blazing crater, feeling the intense heat, and watching the flames dance in the darkness.
The best time to visit? At night, when the crater’s glow is most dramatic, illuminating the desert in an otherworldly orange hue.
Turkmenistan’s Plans for the Crater
Will the Flames Be Extinguished?
For years, Turkmenistan’s government has debated whether to extinguish the fire. In 2010, the country’s leader suggested putting out the flames to preserve natural gas resources.
Then, in 2022, Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdymukhamedov ordered officials to find a way to seal the crater permanently. Yet, as of today, the Door to Hell remains open, still burning as fiercely as ever.
Could this legendary fire finally be extinguished? Or will it continue to rage for another 50 years?
A Fiery Mystery That Endures
The Door to Hell is a paradox—both a man-made disaster and a natural wonder. What began as a scientific mistake has transformed into one of the world’s most haunting landscapes.
For now, the flames continue to burn, lighting up the night in one of the most remote places on Earth. Whether the fire is finally extinguished or continues for another half-century, the legend of the Darvaza Gas Crater will never fade. Would you dare to stand at the edge of the Door to Hell?
