The Door to Hell: Turkmenistan's Eternal Flame Crater 🌋
In the middle of the Karakum Desert, a massive crater has been burning for over 50 years—and no one knows when it will stop. Welcome to the Darwaza Gas Crater, aka The Door to Hell!
Why Does It Exist?
In 1971, Soviet geologists drilled into a methane gas pocket, causing the ground to collapse. To prevent toxic gas spread, they set it on fire—expecting it to burn out in weeks.
Decades later, the inferno still rages, glowing like a portal to another world at night.
Crazy Facts:
The crater is 230 feet wide and 100 feet deep—big enough to swallow a building.
Local camels sometimes wander close, creating surreal silhouettes against the flames.
In 2013, explorer George Kourounis became the first person to descend into the crater (wearing a heat-resistant suit!).
Would you camp beside this fiery pit? Or is it too apocalyptic? 😈
(Fun fact: The heat is so intense, you can feel it from 50 feet away!) 0 reply
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