In 1971, Soviet drilling may have created the burning crater now called the Gates of Hell
Turkmenistan's Darvaza gas crater, dubbed the 'Gates of Hell', burns continuously. This fiery pit originated from a 1971 Soviet drilling accident in the Karakum Desert. Engineers attempted to burn off escaping natural gas, expecting it to extinguish quickly. However, the fire persists, creating a unique man-made wonder and a symbol of industrial exploration.
Turkmenistan's Darvaza gas crater, dubbed the 'Gates of Hell', burns continuously. This fiery pit originated from a 1971 Soviet drilling accident in the Karakum Desert. Engineers attempted to burn off escaping natural gas, expecting it to extinguish quickly. However, the fire persists, creating a unique man-made wonder and a symbol of industrial exploration.
