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| Darvaza Crater, The Blazing Gate to Hell in The Karakum Desert, Turkmenistan |
When hearing the word hell, the general image that comes to mind for many people is a place filled with blazing fire, scorching heat, and a terrifying atmosphere. It turns out that this image is not entirely impossible to find in the real world. In the country of Turkmenistan, there is a unique natural phenomenon dubbed the Gate to Hell or Door to Hell. This location is called the Darvaza Crater, a giant hole in the middle of the Karakum desert that has been continuously burning with fire for decades. The combination of beauty, mystery, and danger makes the Darvaza Crater one of the most astonishing tourist destinations in Central Asia.
The Natural Wonder of The Darvaza Crater in Turkmenistan
The Darvaza Crater has an impressive size, with a diameter of about 69 meters and a depth of 30 meters. This large hole is located near a small village called Derweze (Darvaza), Ahal Province, Turkmenistan, right in the heart of the Karakum Desert, which is one of the largest deserts in the world. This desert region has an extreme climate with temperatures that can reach over 40°C in summer. The Turkmen government designated the crater as part of the Karakum Desert conservation area in 2013, in an effort to protect its unique nature and attract international tourists.
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| The Darvaza Crater is filled with burning fire |
The Origin of The Darvaza Crater, Between Accident and Experiment
Unlike most craters that are formed due to volcanic activity or meteorite impacts, the Darvaza Crater was formed due to drilling activity. In 1971, a group of Soviet engineers were drilling to find oil and natural gas reserves in the area. Unfortunately, the ground beneath the fragile drilling rig suddenly collapsed, creating a giant hole that then released large amounts of natural gas. As a result, the rig structure was destroyed and the exploration project was stopped.
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| The origin of the Darvaza Crater remains unclear. |
The natural gas that came out of the crater was known to contain high concentrations of methane. Although this gas is not toxic, its presence in large quantities is very dangerous because it is flammable and can cause a lack of oxygen in the surrounding area. To prevent the spread of gas and protect residents and wildlife, engineers decided to burn the gas in the hope that the fire would be extinguished within a few weeks. However, the opposite is true, the fire inside the crater still burns to this day, more than 50 years after it was first lit.
Controversy Over The History of The Darvaza Crater
Although much of the literature mentions 1971 as the year the Darvaza Crater was formed, a number of geologists and independent researchers doubt the accuracy of this information. Some theories suggest that the crater has most likely existed since the 1960s, with the fire only starting to burn in the 1980s. The lack of official documentation during the Soviet era adds to the mystery surrounding the crater's origins. However, the controversy over when exactly the crater was formed does not diminish its extraordinary appeal, both from a scientific and tourist perspective.
George Kourounis, First Explorer to The Bottom of the Hell Crater
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| George Kourounis, First Explorer to The Bottom of the Darvaza Crater |
One of the most historic moments in the exploration of the Darvaza Crater occurred in 2013. A Canadian explorer named George Kourounis became the first person to successfully descend to the bottom of the crater. Using special protective equipment, including heat-resistant suits, breathing apparatus, and fire-resistant harnesses, Kourounis managed to collect soil samples from the still-smoldering crater floor. The main goal of his mission was to investigate whether there were any microbial life forms that could survive in this extreme environment. Biologist Dr. Stefan Green found bacteria in the soil samples brought by Kourounis. The results of this study open up new horizons in the field of astrobiology and the possibility of life on planets with extreme conditions such as Mars.
The Gate of Hell as an Extreme Tourism Destination
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| Darvaza Crater, a scary crater that is a popular tourist destination |
With its never-ending flames, the Darvaza Crater has become a unique tourist magnet in Turkmenistan. Thousands of tourists from various countries come every year to witness the beauty and awesomeness of this crater firsthand. Especially at night, the view of the brightly lit crater creates a dramatic effect like the "entrance to hell". Many visitors choose to camp around the crater to enjoy this rare sight, although the temperature in the desert can be very cold at night. Access to the location is quite challenging because it is located in the middle of the desert, but many local travel agencies provide complete tour packages to the Darvaza Crater.
The Charm and Challenges of Preserving The Darvaza Crater
Despite being an important tourist attraction, the existence of the Darvaza Crater also poses a dilemma for the local government. The President of Turkmenistan has suggested that the crater be closed to prevent negative impacts on the environment and the conservation of national natural gas. However, until now, there has been no official decision regarding the closure. Instead, this place remains open to the public and continues to be promoted as a symbol of the power of nature and human perseverance in the face of extreme conditions. The natural wonder that occurs in the Darvaza Crater is a reminder that sometimes beauty and danger can exist in one stunning unity.
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