Indicators of Vanishing: The Globe’s Most Massive Flaming Gas Pit Decreases
Almost 55 years after being accidentally ignited, the Darvaza gas crater is finally displaying signs of slowing down. Situated in the core of the Karakum desert in Turkmenistan, this crater is commonly referred to as the “Door to Hell” or “Gates of Hell” due to the flames that have been erupting within it since 1971.
The origin of this blazing crater is a fascinating segment of lesser-known history. The Karakum desert area of Turkmenistan was part of the Soviet Union during the 1970s. Soviet engineers were keen on exploring the desert for oil sources, so upon their arrival, they conducted drilling for quality assessments. However, rather than discovering oil, the engineers stumbled upon something significantly more volatile: a large pocket of natural gas that couldn’t sustain the weight of heavy oil rig equipment, leading to a collapse.
This incident caused the collapse of the entire scouting camp, leaving behind a giant, bowl-shaped depression measuring 230 feet in width and 100 feet in depth. Compounding the issue, the natural gas that had been trapped in this pocket began seeping into the atmosphere at an extraordinary rate, threatening local wildlife and nearby populations.
Scientists aimed to eliminate the natural gas by igniting it as a definitive solution, estimating a few weeks would be required to resolve the issue. In reality, the Darvaza crater has been ablaze for decades, and it is only in 2025, almost 55 years after it started, that the flames of the Gates of Hell seem to be diminishing.
According to Turkmengaz, the state-backed national gas company, the flames of the Darvaza crater have shown a visible reduction as of June 5, 2025. Scientists monitoring the crater’s fires presented findings at the International Scientific and Practical Conference on Environmental Aspects of Innovative Technologies in Hydrocarbon Development (TESC 2025), indicating that the flames have shrunk to nearly one-third of their original intensity.
Additionally, scientists have noted that the crater’s flames are now only visible when in close proximity to the cavity, whereas previously, its fires could be seen from miles away. Turkmengaz officials and researchers remain optimistic that this rapid decrease is due to the depletion of natural gas reserves, suggesting that the blazing crater may be nearing its end.
This development is welcomed by the residents and leaders of Turkmenistan. The burning crater has long been a subject of debate, with many expressing concerns over the continuous burning of valuable natural gas as both wasteful and hazardous. The gradual extinguishing of the Darvaza crater symbolizes the potential conclusion of one of the world’s most extraordinary man-made phenomena. As the flames diminish, they conclude a decades-spanning chapter in Turkmenistan’s topography and history.
An unintentional man-made crater from the Soviet period that has been alight for 54 years in Turkmenistan is finally starting to cool down.
The Darvaza gas crater, also termed the “Door to Hell” or the “Gates to Hell,” has been characterized by the unrelenting flames that have burned since a natural gas pocket beneath the surface collapsed in 1971.
Nonetheless, as of June 5, 2025, national officials have indicated that the flames within the crater have significantly decreased.
This information arises amidst discussions concerning the valuable natural gas that has been wasted since the initial accident in 1971, and may herald the conclusion of an era for the landscape and history of Turkmenistan.