In the heart of Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert lies the Darvaza Gas Crater, often referred to as the “Door to Hell.”
This fiery pit, with a diameter of approximately 70 meters, was created accidentally in 1971 when a Soviet drilling operation for natural gas went awry, causing the ground to collapse.
Darvaza Gas Crater. | Source: Wikipedia
To prevent the spread of methane gas, scientists set the crater alight, expecting the flames to extinguish within weeks. Surprisingly, the fire has blazed continuously for over five decades, becoming a spectacle that draws visitors from around the globe.