The Darvaza gas crater, also known as the “Door to Hell” or “Gates of Hell”, is a crater in Turkmenistan located in the middle of the Karakum Desert, about 260 kilometers (160 mi) north of Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan.
The crater is 60–70 meters (200–230 ft) in diameter and about 30 meters (98 ft) deep. Hundreds of natural gas fires illuminate the floor and rim of the crater, creating an otherworldly spectacle, especially at night.
The origin of the crater is a mystery, with conflicting accounts and timelines. Some believe that in the 70s, Soviet geologists were drilling for oil when a collapse formed the crater. Others believe that the collapse into a crater happened in the 60s. Relevant records are either absent from the archives, classified or inaccessible.
To prevent the spread of the gas, which is poisonous methane, they decided to set it on fire, believing it would burn itself out in a few weeks. However, the gas has been burning ever since, for over 50 years now.
Visitation at the Darvaza Gas Crater
In post-soviet Turkmenistan, the crater became a popular tourist destination, despite its remote location. Visitors can view the crater from a safe distance and marvel at the flames that erupt from the depths. The harsh desert environment and the constant flames make it a challenging but unique travel experience.
In 2013, George Kourounis became the first person to set foot at the bottom of the Crater. He used a full body aluminized suit with a self-contained breathing apparatus. A custom-made kevlar harness attached to multiple ropes allowed him to descend into the crater. The descent was sponsored by National Geographic. At the bottom, Kourounis collected soil samples for the Extreme Microbiome Project, that focused on whole genome sequencing of extreme and unique environments using various biomolecular techniques.
In recent years, the government of Turkmenistan has discussed plans to extinguish the fire and potentially develop the area for other purposes. However, as of now, the “Door to Hell” continues to burn brightly, attracting curious visitors from around the world.
Bibliography
1 – Darvaza – Gates to Hell – https://central-asia.guide/turkmenistan/destinations-tr/darvaza-gas-crater/
2 – Genomic Methods and Microbiological Technologies for Profiling Novel and Extreme Environments for the Extreme Microbiome Project (XMP) – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28337070/#:~:text=The%20Extreme%20Microbiome%20Project%20(XMP)%20is%20a%20project%20launched%20by,wide%20variety%20of%20biomolecular%20techniques.
3 – Darvaza gas crater – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darvaza_gas_crater