The Darvaza Gas Crater: The Story of the 50-Year Natural-Gas Fire

Someone may describe to you a natural wonder, and it sounds like something out of a fiction novel. It may sound too wondrous to exist or form organically. Alternatively, sometimes you hear about a feature of this planet Earth that sounds horrifying, impossible and catastrophic. The Darvaza gas crater is one of those, as represented by its nickname — the Door to Hell. In this massive hole is a fire that has not ceased for decades. How is this possible? How did it start, and will it ever end?

What Is the Darvaza Gas Crater?

The Darvaza gas crater lies in the middle of the Karakum Desert in the Ahal Province of Turkmenistan. This deep cavern spans around 70 meters in diameter and is around 30 meters deep. If you were to visit it right now, you would be surprised to find that it is not just a rocky, dirt-filled hole — it is actively on fire, and has been since its inception. This is because it is a hot spot for the highly flammable gas, methane.

The history of the crater is shrouded in mystery. Experts say it has been burning for over 50 years, potentially set alight by Soviet authorities, even though the specifics of everything are uncertain. Many documents that could detail the sinkhole’s origins are classified or missing. It is possible the hole was dug decades before this. However, the prevailing theory is authorities set it on fire to prevent the poisonous gases from spreading. Others think it was an old oil field that collapsed.

Over the years, explorers, geologists and scientists have analyzed this phenomenon. They have been able to date the crater to the 1960s, discover some of its natural features, identify any microbes and know what resources it contains. But still, much remains unknown or inaccessible. It has recently been renamed the Shining of Karakum.

Is the Darvaza Gas Crater Still Burning? If So, How?

The crater still burns to this day, though the government actively seeks a way to stop it. Turkmenistan’s president, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, wants to permanently extinguish the flames, despite it being a popular tourist attraction. There are countless concerns over the environmental and public health ramifications of a continuously burning fire in the middle of the desert. 

There is an opportunity to capitalize on the region’s natural gas to boost the local economy and, as Berdymukhamedov asserts, improve citizens’ well-being. However, throughout history, people have tried to douse it multiple times to no avail. In addition to water, other efforts include drilling to divert gases flows into less concentrated areas.

Regardless, time has taken a toll on the crater. It is not as potent as it once used to be. Some experts suggest it has reduced in size and power, with minimal fires continuing to burn. It has led to some upset tourists, who were expecting a massive, hellish pit, to see what appears to be just larger-than-average bonfires.

FAQ About the Darvaza Gas Crater

If you’re still confused about this giant gateway to hell, you are not the only one. Many experts and curious minds alike have been wondering the same things for years. Here is the rest of what we know.

Has anyone ever fallen into the Darvaza gas crater?

The region is precarious due to sustained heat and damage. There are cracks, potholes and difficult terrain surrounding the crater. According to tourist organizations, nobody has ever died or fallen into the crater. Recently, someone did enter the crater, but for research purposes. Anyone else who has gone in has not been documented.

How can the Darvaza crater be put out?

There are several options that have led the president to establish a coalition to find the best solution for extinguishing the flames. Here are some of the most likely options:

• Using concentrated oxygen to stifle the flames
• Flooding with water
• Covering with soil
• Drilling more holes to divert gas production
• Covering the hole with a heavy material, like concrete

Can tourists visit the Darvaza gas crater?

Yes. In fact, over 10,000 people are expected to visit the site each year, making it one of the best tourism destinations in the country. It has the features of any travel site, with souvenirs and walking paths for everyone to explore. Anyone can go visit and even stay near the Gates of Hell. However, as mentioned, the flames have calmed down over the years. If you’re expecting a bewitching cauldron of flames, you may be unimpressed. Many photos online are from the crater’s past, so do your research beforehand to set appropriate expectations.

Who lit the Darvaza gas crater?

There are many myths surrounding the crater’s origins, with some being more alarmist than others. Some say it was an engineering accident, though it was more likely something else. The prevailing theory is that it was an effort by Soviet officers to keep poisonous gases at bay. 

How old and how hot is the crater?

Geologists have dated the crater back to the 1960s, though it was not on fire that entire time. The hottest part of the creator reaches 1,000° Celsius. It gets that hot because of the number of small natural gas-ignited fires in the pit. While people can visit the region safely, standing near it can be unbearably uncomfortable and requires protective techniques to avoid dangerous conditions.

When Natural Gas Does Not Feel Natural

The persistence of the Darvaza gas crater fire feels like something that should not happen on this planet. A fire that burns this long sounds like it should have swept across the world by now. Regardless, this unique circumstance tells humanity a great deal about the planet’s resilience and its natural resource composition. 

Additionally, it represents humanity’s growth, overcoming bouts of ignorance that could have led to features like this in the first place. Hopefully, another crater will not appear with the same outcome, but that does not rule out the possibility of something equally surprising happening one day as humanity continues to dig for natural resources.