Scientists Uncover the Mystery of Turkmenistan's Burning 'Gates of Hell'

The Enigma of Turkmenistan's Fiery 'Gates of Hell'

Imagine coming across a fiery pit in a lonely desert. The giant natural gas crater in the Karakum Desert had been burning non-stop since Soviet geologists accidentally ignited it in the 1970s. The story dates back over 50 years when a Soviet drilling team accidentally created the Darvaza Gas Crater, which was now popularly known as 'Turkmenistan's Gates of Hell.' However, scientists were baffled by the fact that no one knew why these flames continued to burn or where they came from. According to Live Science , "For more than five decades, a massive pit of fire had been burning in Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert, and the country’s President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov wanted to put an end to it."

Mysterious Flaming 'Gates of Hell'

In 1971, a Soviet drilling team searching for natural gas in the Karakum Desert when unintentionally struck a gas pocket, causing the ground to collapse and form a 70-meter-wide and 30-meter-deep crater. To prevent the release of dangerous gas, the team set the crater on fire, believing it would burn out in a few weeks. Instead, it burned for over 50 years, becoming a strangely captivating tourist attraction. Dylan Lupine, founder of Lupine Travels, shared with CNN , "I would say it was only burning at around 40% of the level I first witnessed in 2009. A much larger area of the crater had flames back then. There were fewer now, and they weren’t as high as they were."

Exploring Its Origins

Knewz.com noted that George Kourounis, a Canadian adventurer and television presenter, was the first to descend into the crater to study microorganisms in 2013. Kourounis told CNN , "Some said it was a hand grenade, while others claimed the Soviets just threw a match in." He also mentioned, "I had heard a story that a drunk farmer once drove his tractor into it." However, locals believed the crater was an entrance to the underworld, with the flames representing lost souls. Additionally, large amounts of hazardous gases, such as methane, explained the crater's existence.

Associated Environmental and Health Risks

Recently, with media attention and exploration theories, the crater became popular, attracting many tourists who visited to witness the sight. Kourounis told The Week , "Day or night, it was clearly burning. You could hear the roar of the fire if you stood at the edge." However, Berdimuhamedow raised concerns about the damage caused by the burning crater. He said the fire and gases not only harmed public health but also wasted valuable natural resources. He consulted with experts and urged them to find a way to extinguish the fire and create an economic balance between tourism and environmental protection.

Reaching the Darvaza Crater

Many adventurous tourists were intrigued by the phenomenon and wanted to visit the site. They could either book tours through companies or self-drive to the Darvaza Crater. Additionally, buses and taxis were available from Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, which usually took around 3 to 4 hours. However, visiting these 'Gates of Hell' was challenging, as visitors needed to take utmost precautions. The most important precaution was to stay behind the low fence surrounding the crater and not go overboard just to take Instagram-worthy pictures. According to TopMiles , other preventive measures included staying hydrated, being cautious of wildlife, using insect repellent, and wearing light, breathable clothing.