TURKMENISTAN - Derweze - "Door to Hell" or Flaming Crater
The crater is 230 feet wide and situated in Karakim desert near Derweze (Darvaza) village and The crater draws hundreds of tourists each year. It is named the Door to Hell (or flaming crater) referring to the endless flames and boiling mud that can be found inside.
Originally at the level surface, the site was identified by soviet scientists in 1971 as an area that was believed to house a substantial oil field. During operations, the ground collapsed creating a wide crater that was believed to be releasing large quantities of methane gas, a potential danger to the nearby villages. Autorities decided that the most efficient way to solve the problem would be to burn off the poisonous gases in order to burn them rapidely. More than four decades later, though, the crater is still burning.
There is also some other similar craters in the area.
BEST TIME to VISIT TURKMENISTAN
BEST TIME to TRAVEL to Door to Hell
From May to September
(hot in summer)
Door to Hell or Flaming Crater at night time
Door to Hell or Flaming Crater at night time
Door to Hell or Flaming Crater at night time
Door to Hell or Flaming Crater at night time
Door to Hell or Flaming Crater at night time
Door to Hell or Flaming Crater at night time
Door to Hell or Flaming Crater at day time
Door to Hell or Flaming Crater at day time
Door to Hell or Flaming Crater at day time
This "mud" crater is not so famous but has the same origin and has few flames and muddy bubbles inside
the "Mud" crater has also few flames causing by burning gas
the "Mud" crater - few flames and muddy bubbles
the "Mud" crater - few flames and muddy bubbles
the "water" crater but we prefer to call it the "plastic crater" as thousands of bottles floating at the surface
the "water" crater but we prefer to call it the "plastic crater" as thousands of bottles floating at the surface
Door to Hell or Flaming Crater at dawn
Door to Hell or Flaming Crater at dawn