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Turkmenistan's "Door to Hell"
We've previously reported here at Gadling on the intriguing, surreal and downright bizarre tourist attractions of the Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Now today comes further "fuel" for the country's already odd reputation. Website English Russia is reporting on what local residents have dubbed the "Door to Hell" - a cavernous, flaming pit outside the small town of Darvaza which has been continuously burning for more than 35 years.While Biblical alarmists might point to the "Door of Hell" as yet another sign of a coming apocalypse, the phenomenon apparently has a scientific explanation. According local residents, geologists were digging in the area for gas deposits and stumbled upon a huge underground cavern. The geologists apparently concluded the cavern was filled with poisonous gas, and decided (as any sane rational scientist might do) that they should light the cavern on fire to burn off the excess. The hole has been burning for more than 35 years since. Though there's some debate on English Russia about whether this flaming pit is actually located in Uzbekistan, some further investigation confirms it is indeed in Turkmenistan.
Perhaps the "Door to Hell" won't help put Turkmenistan back on your list of 1,000 Places to Visit Before You Die, but if you're a Satanist, energy company executive or just plain curious, maybe it's worth the long trek out to Central Asia.
Filed under: Stories, Asia, Turkmenistan, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Adam Mar 25th 2008 4:12PM
It's definitely in Turkmenistan. I've been to it. The government generally doesn't like people going out there, however, so you'll have to be sneaky getting visas for the Dashoguz region and then somehow getting your driver to stop off at the pit (which will require a bit of offroading over some very large dunes) or bribing some dump truck drivers to take you. It's about 60-70 meters across and maybe 50 meters deep. It's very impressive but don't get too drunk around it because it'd be very easy to fall in.
clubtrotamundos Mar 26th 2008 8:06PM
In spanish:
http://clubtrotamundos.blogspot.com/2008/01/crteres-ardiendo-en-turkmenistn.html
sgoralnick Mar 28th 2008 9:33AM
that's amazing. they should make special hell suits so that you can venture down into it.
Beliy Jun 9th 2008 2:44AM
It's very interesting to see burning gas crater during the night time and cooking Shashlyk near the crater.
Better take 4x4 a/c car in summer time.
Beliy Jun 9th 2008 3:17AM
you are talking about gas crater only, but, there are a lot more to see for example anothe two more craters with mud and water on it, although like dinosaurus footprints, underground lake, magnificent Akhal Teke Horses.....