The Door to Hell: giant hole of fire in the heart of the Karakum Desert
The Door to Hell is a natural gas field in Derweze (also spelled Darvaze, meaning “gate”), Ahal Province, Turkmenistan. It is a crater made by geologists. The Door to Hell is noted for its natural gas fire which has been burning continuously since it was lit by Soviet petrochemical scientists in 1971.
The fire is fed by the rich natural gas deposits in the area. The pungent smell of burning sulfur pervades the area for some distance. [via]
