Darvaza gas crater

E78721

The Darvaza gas crater is a massive, continuously burning natural gas pit in Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert, often called the “Door to Hell” and known for its dramatic fiery glow.

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Statements (48)

Predicate Object
instanceOf geological formation
natural gas field
sinkhole
tourist attraction
access off-road vehicle from Ashgabat
burningSince 1970s
cause collapse of a natural gas drilling operation
climate arid desert climate
combustionType continuous open-air combustion
continent Asia
country Turkmenistan NERFINISHED
depth approximately 20–30 metres
diameter approximately 60–70 metres
distanceFromCapital approximately 250 kilometres north of Ashgabat
environmentalConcern greenhouse gas emissions
estimatedBurnDuration several decades
formationType collapsed cavern
fuelType natural gas
governedBy Government of Turkmenistan
hazard emission of methane and other gases
high temperatures near the rim
ignitionDate around 1971
ignitionMethod deliberate ignition by geologists
ignitionReason to prevent spread of methane gas
languageOfNickname English
locatedIn Ahal Region
Karakum Desert
locatedNear village of Darvaza
locatedOn natural gas field in Turkmenistan
mediaCoverage featured in international documentaries
featured in travel magazines
nickname Door to Hell
Gates of Hell
notableFor continuous burning flames
dramatic fiery glow at night
emission of heat and light
region Central Asia
shape circular
surfaceFeature burning natural gas
surroundingLandscape sand dunes
sparse desert vegetation
timeZone UTC+5
tourism popular destination for adventure tourists
tourismActivity overnight camping nearby
photography of flames at night
visitedBy explorers
scientists
tourists

Referenced by (2)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Karakum Desert knownFor Darvaza gas crater
Turkmenistan notableSite Darvaza gas crater