Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert is one of the most bizarre places where a burning circle exists and spectacular views on the planet are popularly known as the Darvaza Crater. The fire pit is commonly known as the “Door to Hell” or the “Gates of Hell” and has been burning continuously for more than 50 years.
The Origin of the Crater
The history of the Darvaza Crater of Turkmenistan started in 1971, in Soviet times, while drilling was taking place in the desert, which is full of natural gas and environmentally friendly fossil fuels. As they drilled, they hit an enormous underground reservoir of gas by accident. The earth caved in around the drilling rig, creating a giant crater. Methane started to escape, which was so hazardous for humans and the animal kingdom.
To kill this problem, scientists opted to cremate the gas, thinking that it would last for a few days. They ignited the crater, anticipating the fire would soon consume the methane that is present there. But they did not realize how much gas was underground. Weeks became months, months turned into years, and now, over five decades on, the fire is still flaming.
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A Tourist Spot: Darvaza Crater
The Darvaza Crater is approximately 230 feet wide and 100 feet deep. Its flames burn brightly at night and can be seen from afar in the desert, which creates curiosity in tourists’ minds to go and have a look. What is that?. The burning spectacle has been given the sensational name “Door to Hell.”
Years have passed, and the crater has been one of Turkmenistan’s most popular tourist destinations. Thousands of tourists visit annually to witness it for themselves. In 2013, Canadian explorer George Kourounis even visited the bottom of the crater to gather samples, calling it a man-made “disaster.” He also issued warnings about the gases it still emits into the atmosphere.
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What the Future Holds
The “Door to Hell” persists as a reminder both of human miscalculation and of tourist appeal. To Turkmenistan, it brings international tourists and international publicity. Yet while doing so, it symbolizes the environmental hazard associated with fossil fuels and the lifetime consequences of a single error.
The question is, should the crater be preserved as a unique natural phenomenon, or should efforts be directed at putting it out of action for the environment’s own good? For now, there is still no definite decision.
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