econews. Located approximately 260 kilometers north of Ashgabat, the Darvaza Gas Crater is a massive natural gas sinkhole measuring around 70 meters in diameter and up to 30 meters deep. The site has been burning continuously for decades, creating a dramatic spectacle that attracts thousands of visitors from around the world each year.
According to the widely accepted account, Soviet geologists accidentally drilled into an underground natural gas cavern during exploration work in the early 1970s. After the ground collapsed, engineers reportedly ignited the escaping methane gas to prevent its uncontrolled release, expecting the fire to burn out within days. Instead, the flames have continued for more than 50 years.
Although historians note that some details of the original incident remain uncertain, the crater has become an enduring symbol of Turkmenistan and one of the country's most recognizable landmarks. Visitors often travel across the remote Karakum Desert to witness the crater at night, when the glowing flames create an unforgettable view against the dark desert landscape.
The Darvaza area also contains two lesser-known craters—one filled with water and another with bubbling mud—but the burning gas crater remains the region's main attraction.
In recent years, Turkmen authorities have announced plans to reduce the size of the fire due to environmental concerns and the loss of valuable natural gas resources. Officials say efforts are underway to limit methane emissions while preserving the surrounding environment, raising the possibility that the famous "Door to Hell" may one day stop burning.
Until then, the crater remains one of the world's most extraordinary natural attractions and a powerful reminder of the region's vast energy resources.