Darvaza Crater: The Burning Gates of Hell in Turkmenistan

Darvaza Gas Crater, famously known as the Gates of Hell, is a blazing natural phenomenon located in the heart of the Karakum Desert, Turkmenistan. When hearing the word hell, many people imagine a place filled with raging fire, scorching heat, and a terrifying atmosphere—and this vision exists in the real world. For decades, the Darvaza Crater has burned continuously, captivating visitors with its eerie beauty, mystery, and extreme environment, making it one of the most astonishing natural wonders and tourist destinations in Central Asia.

The Natural Wonder of The Darvaza Gas Crater in Turkmenistan

The Darvaza Gas Crater has impressive dimensions, with a diameter of approximately 69 meters and a depth of up to 30 meters. This large hole is located near the small village of Derweze (Darvaza), 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 exceed 40°C in summer. The Turkmenistan government designated the Darvaza Crater area as part of the Karakum Desert conservation zone in 2013, as an effort to protect its natural uniqueness and attract international tourists.

The Darvaza Crater is filled with burning fire

Why Is the Darvaza Crater Called the Gates of Hell?

1. The Gates of Hell, Gate of Hell, and Door to Hell
As its popularity grew, the Darvaza Crater has various other names and nicknames that reflect its character, history, and public perception of it. The most famous nickname is The Gates of Hell, a name that emerged due to the sight of massive flames burning from the crater’s depths for decades. Several name variations are also commonly used, such as Gate of Hell and Gateway to Hell. Additionally, this crater is often called Door to Hell, a term popular among both international tourists and local communities because of the dramatic impression it creates.

2. Official Name of the Darvaza Crater: Garagum Ýalkymy
Technically, this crater is also known as the Darvaza Gas Crater, a name that directly refers to its location and its characteristic as a natural gas crater. In the Turkmen language, the crater is called Jähennem Derwezesi, which has a similar meaning to “Gate of Hell”. To reduce the negative impression of the Gates of Hell nickname, the Turkmenistan government established the official name Garagum Ýalkymy in 2018, which means Shining of Karakum or Desert Flame. This name was chosen to highlight the natural and geological phenomenon aspects of the Darvaza Crater without frightening connotations, while also supporting the positive image of national tourism.

The Origin of the Darvaza Gas Crater: Accident or Soviet Experiment?

Unlike ordinary craters that are formed by volcanic activity or meteorite impacts, the Darvaza Gas Crater was formed as a result of drilling activity. In 1971, a group of Soviet engineers conducted drilling operations to search for oil and natural gas reserves in the area. Unfortunately, the fragile ground beneath the drilling rig suddenly collapsed, creating a massive hole that subsequently released large amounts of natural gas. As a result, the rig structure was destroyed and the exploration project was halted.

The origin of the Darvaza Crater remains unclear.

The natural gas emitted from the crater is known to contain methane in high concentrations. Although this gas is not toxic, its presence in large quantities is extremely dangerous because it is highly flammable and can cause oxygen deficiency in the surrounding area. To prevent the gas from spreading and to protect residents as well as wildlife, the engineers decided to burn the gas in the hope that the flames would extinguish within a few weeks. However, the opposite occurred instead—the fire inside the crater is still burning to this day, more than 50 years since it was first ignited.

Historical Controversy Surrounding the Darvaza Crater

Although much literature cites 1971 as the starting point for the formation of the Darvaza Crater, a number of geologists and independent researchers question the accuracy of this information. Some theories state that Garagum Ýalkymy (The Shining of Karakum) most likely existed as early as the 1960s, and the fire only began burning in the 1980s. The lack of official documentation during the Soviet era adds to the mystery surrounding the origin of this fiery hole in Turkmenistan. Nevertheless, the controversy over exactly when the crater was formed does not diminish its extraordinary appeal, both from a scientific and tourism perspective.

George Kourounis and the First Descent into the Gates of Hell

Darvaza Gas Crater is an object of research on life in extreme places.

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.

Darvaza Crater as an Extreme Tourism Destination in Turkmenistan

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.

Best Time to Visit the Darvaza Gas Crater in Turkmenistan
 
The months of April – May are the most ideal time to visit the Darvaza Crater, because during this period the temperature in the Karakum Desert – which is home to the Gateway to Hell – feels cool and pleasant. Avoid visiting during June - August, when temperatures in the Karakum Desert can reach 50°C; even the ground surface temperature is much higher, potentially reaching 80°C.
 
In September - October, the extreme hot weather begins to subside, making it a good time to camp in the desert and visit the amazing Door to Hell. From November to December, the temperature of the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan will drop drastically. It is not a good choice to visit the Darvaza Crater amid the desert’s extreme cold.
 
Tips for Visiting the Darvaza Gas Crater in the Karakum Desert
 
The Darvaza Gas Crater is open for visits 24 hours a day and free of charge (there are no entrance tickets or parking fees), but it is highly recommended to hire a guide to avoid getting lost. Additionally, a 4WD or SUV vehicle is required to navigate the tough desert terrain. Tourists should also bring sufficient food and drinks, lighting equipment, and warm clothing, as desert temperatures can drop drastically at night even if it feels hot during the day.
 
Visiting the Gates of Hell at Night: The Most Spectacular View
 
Nighttime is the best time to witness the magical charm of Garagum Ýalkymy (Shining of Karakum), which is why visitors are advised to arrive at the crater site before sunset. At night, the fire in the Darvaza Crater looks most spectacular and blazing, illuminating the night sky amid the desert darkness, creating the dramatic scene known as the Gates of Hell.
 
Under the scorching sun, the Darvaza Gas Crater only looks like an ordinary large hole in the middle of the Karakum Desert. Although the burning fire is still clearly visible, it does not quite convey the iconic eerie impression typical of the Gates of Hell. Furthermore, the intensity of the fire in the crater has decreased significantly since late 2025, due to efforts by the Turkmenistan government to close the Darvaza Crater.

Efforts by the Turkmenistan Government to Close the Darvaza Gas Crater

1. Why the Turkmenistan Government Wants to Close the Gates of Hell
Since 2022, the government of Turkmenistan has officially instructed scientists and energy experts to find solutions to close or extinguish the fire in the Darvaza Crater. This policy was adopted due to considerations of environmental impacts from methane gas emissions, risks to public health, and economic losses from natural gas that continues to burn without being utilized.
 
2. Geological Challenges in Shutting Down the Darvaza Crater Fire
The Turkmen government's efforts to close the Gates of Hell face major challenges. One of them is the complex geological conditions, where the subsurface structure consists of many thin layers containing gas at depths of approximately 200 to 950 meters. These layers are hydraulically interconnected and interspersed with solid rock and water layers, making it very difficult to completely cut off the gas flow. In addition, there is a risk of explosion if the closure is carried out improperly. Accumulation of gas underground can increase pressure and potentially trigger a major explosion.
 
How Scientists Are Trying to Stop the Darvaza Gas Crater Fire
 
As a solution, the government and scientists have implemented various technical approaches, one of which is by drilling new wells at the Chaljulba gas field located near the crater. By extracting large quantities of gas from the main reservoir, gas pressure is expected to decrease so that the gas flow no longer heads to the Darvaza Crater.
 
Furthermore, drilling has also been carried out at several points around the crater to capture methane gas before it reaches the surface. This step aims to reduce the fuel supply that keeps the fire burning. Results from these various efforts have begun to be seen. Toward the end of 2025, the fire at the Darvaza Gas Crater was reported to have significantly diminished, marking tangible progress in the endeavor to extinguish the crater that has long been known worldwide as The Gates of Hell.

The Darvaza Gas Crater in Turkmenistan remains one of the most extraordinary and mysterious natural phenomena on Earth. Known worldwide as the Gates of Hell, this fiery crater in the Karakum Desert represents a unique intersection of geology, history, and extreme tourism. Whether viewed as a scientific anomaly, a symbol of human error, or a breathtaking travel destination, the Darvaza Crater continues to fascinate the world—even as efforts to extinguish its flames gradually change the future of this iconic landmark.
Related Post