The Door to Hell: The Burning Natural Gas Field in Turkmenistan That Has Been on Fire for Over 50 Years

 

Did you know that there is a place on Earth called the "Door to Hell" or the "Gates of Hell," which is a natural gas field in Turkmenistan that has been burning continuously for more than 50 years?

 

The Door to Hell is a large crater, approximately 230 feet wide and 98 feet deep, that was created in 1971 when a drilling rig collapsed into an underground cavern, causing the ground to give way and releasing large amounts of natural gas. To prevent the release of toxic gases, the Soviet geologists decided to set the gas on fire, expecting the fire to burn out within a few days.

 

However, the fire has been burning continuously for more than 50 years, and it shows no signs of stopping. The flames can be seen from miles away, and the area around the crater is often covered in a thick cloud of smoke.

 

Despite its ominous name, the Door to Hell has become a popular tourist attraction, attracting visitors from around the world who come to see the eerie flames and experience the surreal landscape. The site has also become a subject of scientific interest, with researchers studying the geology and ecology of the area to better understand the effects of the long-term burning of natural gas on the environment.

 

Overall, the Door to Hell is a fascinating and somewhat terrifying reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature, and the ways in which human actions can have unexpected and long-lasting effects on the environment.