About the place
In May 2016 and again in September 2023, I led a small group to Turkmenistan. The highlight of the trip was the Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as the "Gates of Hell".
Among the three Darvaza craters, the first contains water that bubbles from gas pressure below, while the second features a large muddy depression with multiple fiery vents.
However, the third crater is the largest, hottest, and most attractive of them all.
Join us on a journey through Turkmenistan
The crater measures 70 meters in diameter and 30 meters in depth. Its bottom is filled with individual fire pockets that have been burning continuously since 1971. That year, Soviet geologists discovered gas deposits in the area and began drilling, hoping to find oil. When large underground cavities collapsed and formed these craters, the geologists worried that leaking gas might endanger nearby villages. They decided to set it on fire, believing the gas would burn out in several weeks—but they were wrong.
If you're worried about missing this natural phenomenon before it disappears, do not worry - the gas deposits found in the area are among the world's largest.
However, there are concerns about the crater. In April 2010, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow recommended measures to limit the crater's impact on the development of other natural gas fields in the area. In January 2022, Berdimuhamedov announced plans to extinguish the crater due to its negative effects on the environment and public health. A commission was established to find the best technique for doing so.
The view around the crater is breathtaking. When the wind blows, it stirs up heat from within, forcing visitors to step back as waves of warmth wash over them. While our first visit was brief, on our second trip we camped overnight, enjoying a barbecue while exploring every vantage point of this remarkable site. The evening picnic before the crater's flaming mouth was unforgettable—the setting sun's fiery reflections danced in the sky as flames from the burning gas below created an enchanting atmosphere.
Join us on a journey through Turkmenistan
Explorer George Kourounis made history as the first person to descend to the bottom of this burning inferno. National Geographic Society documented the entire expedition, which aired on their channel in 2014. His most fascinating discovery was the presence of extremophile microorganisms—living creatures that had adapted to thrive in the crater's extreme conditions.
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