Science & Technology

Could Turkmenistan's famous 'Gateway to Hell' finally be closing ?

By T.K. Randall
June 6, 2025 ·  0 comments

Image: Darvasa Gas Crater Panorama
Credit: Tormod Sandtorv / CC BY-SA 2.0 (adapted) Located in Derweze, Ahal Province, the burning pit received its terrifying nickname due to its ominous appearance and because it has remained on fire for more than 50 years.

Originally thought to be an oil field site, it has been speculated that the pit was opened up by Soviet engineers after a drilling rig they set up collapsed into a large crater.

Although it has proven a popular tourist attraction, concerns about toxic fumes from the pit prompted local authorities to begin efforts to extinguish the fire back in 2022.This week, Turkmenistan announced that it had succeeded in significantly reducing the inferno.

"Whereas before a huge glow from the blaze was visible from several kilometers away, hence the name 'Gateway to Hell', today only a faint source of combustion remains," said Irina Luryeva of state-owned energy company Turkmengaz.

The effort involved drilling wells around the pit to capture and cut off the methane that was fueling it.

It is likely that, before too long, the fire will disappear entirely - closing the 'Gateway to Hell' for good.

Source: Science Alert | Comments (0)

Tags: Hell, Fire