Turkmenistan’s ‘Gateway to Hell’ Crater Fire Dims After 50 Years of Soviet-Era Flames
Turkmenistan’s ‘Gateway to Hell’ Crater Nears Its End After 50 Years of Flames
(Images: Include aerial drone shots of the fiery crater, Soviet-era drilling equipment, and recent diminished flames.)
For over 50 years, Turkmenistan’s Darvaza gas crater, famously nicknamed the “Gateway to Hell,” has burned relentlessly in the Karakum Desert. Now, scientists report its flames are dwindling as methane reserves deplete, signaling the end of an eerie landmark.
Origin of the Inferno
In 1971, Soviet geologists drilling for gas accidentally punctured an underground methane reservoir, causing the ground to collapse into a 230-foot-wide (70m), 100-foot-deep (30m) crater. To neutralize toxic gas, they set it ablaze, expecting flames to last days. Instead, the fires raged for decades, fueled by vast natural gas reserves.
A Fiery Attraction
The crater became a surreal tourist draw, with visitors camping nearby to witness its glowing spectacle. Turkmenistan’s former president, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, even filmed stunt drives around its edges. However, the site also symbolized environmental negligence. Turkmenistan, home to the world’s fourth-largest gas reserves, has long struggled with methane leaks, making it a top global emitter of the potent greenhouse gas.
(Image: Tourists gathered around the crater at night.)
Closing the Gateway
In 2022, Berdymukhamedov vowed to extinguish the crater, calling it a waste of resources. New gas wells were drilled nearby to redirect methane, and old infrastructure was revived. Officials now report flames have shrunk to a third of their former size, visible only up close. “The glow once seen for miles is now faint,” said Irina Luryeva of Turkmengaz.
(Image: Recent photo showing reduced flames.)
Environmental Impact
Methane traps 80 times more heat than CO₂ over 20 years, making Turkmenistan’s leaks a climate crisis contributor. A 2023 study flagged the country’s fossil fuel fields as emitting more methane than the UK’s total CO₂ output. While the crater’s fires burned off some gas, most methane escaped unburned. Redirecting these emissions could curb environmental harm and boost Turkmenistan’s energy exports.
The Future of Karakum
Once the fires die, the crater may become a dormant sinkhole. Scientists discovered microbes surviving in its extreme heat, offering clues about life in harsh environments. For now, the “Gateway to Hell” serves as a cautionary tale of human error and a prompt for smarter resource management.
(Fact Box: Methane Quick Facts)
- Potent greenhouse gas, 80x stronger than CO₂ short-term.
- Main component of natural gas; leaks occur during extraction/transport.
- Turkmenistan ranks among top methane emitters globally.
As Turkmenistan prioritizes gas capture, the world watches whether this fiery chapter will fade—or if Karakum’s hidden reserves might reignite the flames.
Images suggested: Drone footage of the crater, Soviet drilling mishap visuals, recent dimmed fires, and methane emission data graphics.
