The world's eternal flames

Inside the cave, behind the 10.7-meter-high Eternal Flame Falls in the Shale Creek Preserve (USA), the flame, approximately 20 cm high, is one of thousands of years old naturally burning flames.

Eternal flames are flames that burn continuously for extended periods without extinguishing, possibly due to being located on a natural gas vein or created through human intervention.

1. Eternal Flame Falls, Shale Creek Preserve, New York, USA

An eternal flame burns behind the waterfall. Photo: Wikimedia

One of the world's most famous eternal flames is nestled in a small cave behind the 10.7-meter-high Eternal Flame waterfall in the Shale Creek Reserve, according to Interesting Engineering . The flame, approximately 20 cm tall, has burned for thousands of years. Researchers still don't fully understand the source of this perpetual flame's fuel supply. However, they believe some geological process releases natural gas steadily from shale rock at a depth of 400 meters. Inside the cave, the small flame can be observed for much of the year and burns even in winter when the waterfall freezes over. Occasionally, it may go out and need to be relit.

2. Yanartas, Olympia Valley, Türkiye

Yanartas is located on Mount Chimaera in the Olympos Valley in present-day Antalya, Türkiye. The area boasts not just one, but dozens of small, natural fires. These eternal flames are situated near the ruins of an ancient temple dedicated to Hephaestus, the Greek god of blacksmiths and fire. They have survived for over 2.5 millennia. According to visitors, the area looks like hell on earth at night.

3. Erta Ale, Ethiopia

The flames at Erta Ale lava lake appear in cycles. Photo: iStock

Erta Ale is located in the Afar Basin of Ethiopia. Meaning "mountain of smoke," Erta Ale is a 613-meter-high shield volcano. Its most striking feature is the nearby, frequently active lava lake. This is an extremely rare phenomenon, especially given its long existence. Also nicknamed "the gateway to hell," Erta Ale's lava lake was discovered in 1906. The lake's cycle includes cooling, the formation of a black layer, and the eruption of flames up to 3.96 meters high.

4. Yanar Dağ, Azerbaijan

Yanar Dağ in Azerbaijan is an impressive natural perpetual flame. Located in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, Azerbaijan is often referred to as the "Land of Fire," partly due to the existence of this unique natural phenomenon. Yanar Dağ burns thanks to natural gas leaking from porous sandstone on the hillsides above Absheron Bay. Sometimes, the flames are so intense they can reach a height of 2.74 meters. They have been known since ancient times.

5. Darvaza gas crater, Turkmenistan

The fires at the Darvaza crater are the result of human activity. Photo: Wikimedia

The Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan is home to one of the world's most fascinating natural perpetual flames. Located in a massive gas field discovered by Soviet oil engineers in the 1970s, it is one of the few instances of man-made formations. Drilling operations in the area led to an underground collapse, engulfing the drilling rig and its surrounding structures. While the accident caused no casualties, a large amount of methane gas began to erupt to the surface. Instead of allowing the methane to accumulate to unsafe levels, the engineers decided to ignite the escaping gas. Contrary to expectations that the flame would die out after a few days, it has burned continuously for over 50 years.

An Khang (According to Interesting Engineering )

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