The mysterious fiery "Gateway to Hell" in Turkmenistan

The "Gateway to Hell" is a four-hour drive north of Turkmenistan's capital, Ashgabat.

It is rare for an industrial accident to become a major tourist attraction, but that is exactly what happened to the Darvaza gas crater in Turkmenistan. Also known as the "Gateway to Hell" or "Karakum Light," this crater has been burning for over 50 years, becoming one of the most captivating destinations in this Central Asian nation.

The Darvaza gas crater was created in the 1970s when a Soviet expedition team was drilling for natural gas. An accident caused the ground to collapse, creating a massive crater approximately 70 meters in diameter and 30 meters deep. To prevent the release of toxic methane gas, scientists decided to ignite the gas, hoping the flames would die down after a few weeks. However, that never happened. The Darvaza gas crater has burned continuously ever since, becoming a spectacular and mysterious sight.

Flames from methane gas escaping from vents along the crater rim create intense heat that visitors can feel when standing around. The sight becomes even more impressive at night, when these "tongues of fire" blaze under the starry sky, creating a bizarre scene straight out of a legend.

Despite being nestled among the sand dunes and rocky outcrops of the remote Karakum Desert, the "Gateway to Hell" attracts thousands of visitors each year. Initially, there were no services or amenities for tourists, forcing them to bring everything they needed if they wanted to stay overnight. Today, there are three permanent camps with tents for overnight stays, along with meals and transportation for those who don't want to walk.

Mysterious origins

The origin of the Darvaza crater remains a mystery. Reports from the Soviet era, either incomplete or classified, leave no one certain of the exact time the crater opened. The most common theory is that it formed in 1971 and began burning shortly thereafter. However, some geologists suggest the crater actually formed in the 1960s and began burning in the 1980s.

The way the fire started is also shrouded in legend. Some say it was ignited with a match or even a grenade. Other theories suggest the fire was started to prevent foul odors and toxic fumes from affecting a nearby village. Whatever its origin, the fire from the crater has burned continuously for decades.

The Darvaza gas crater has become a tourist attraction.

A strange allure and an uncertain future.

The Darvaza gas crater attracts not only tourists but also scientists and explorers. George Kourounis, a Canadian explorer, is the only known person to have descended to the bottom of the crater in 2013 on a scientific mission. He collected soil samples to study the unique life forms that may survive in these harsh conditions, providing clues about the possibility of life on other planets.

Despite its allure, the future of the "Gateway to Hell" is at risk of being closed. The Turkmen government has repeatedly expressed its intention to extinguish the fire, concerned about environmental and health impacts and the waste of resources. However, no official decision has yet been made. Local residents, who have become accustomed to the influx of tourists who come to admire this wonder, worry about the potential loss of their income.

Currently, the Darvaza gas crater continues to burn, a unique symbol of the interplay between nature and man-made disasters. This spectacle is not only visually stunning but also a powerful reminder of the power of nature and the unsolved mysteries of the world around us. With its "eerie and bizarre" beauty, Turkmenistan's "Gateway to Hell" will undoubtedly continue to attract and fascinate visitors from around the world, at least until the flames die out.

HQ (according to News Report)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/cong-dia-nguc-ruc-lua-bi-an-o-turkmenistan-391933.html