How does the Darvaza well, which looks like a movie scene, keep burning since 1971?
July 7, 2024
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Crater in 1971 Soviet geologists It was the result of a dramatic incident during natural gas drilling. So why is this fire pit still burning as a result
Crater in 1971 Soviet geologists It was the result of a dramatic incident during natural gas drilling. So why is this fire pit still burning as a result of natural gas exploration?
This story, full of scientific data and striking details, takes you Darvaza Crater takes you on a journey to its secrets.
The Karakum Desert is home to large natural gas reserves.
The village of Darvaza in the region is located in an area with rich hydrocarbon reserves. Soviet geologists in the region in the 1960s to search for natural gas When they started, they opened a borehole to bring the underground gas to the surface.
However, during this drilling an unexpected event occurred. A large area located under the drilling equipment underground cave It collapsed, forming a large crater.
The crater formed by the collapse was about 70 meters wide and 30 meters deep.
However, there was an even more important problem: the release of natural gas into the atmosphere. This posed a great danger to both the environment and human health. In order to prevent the spread of gas and protect the environment, geologists decided to burn natural gas in a controlled manner.
The combustion method is usually to reduce the consequences of natural gas leaks use for. But this time a different result came out than expected. Although it was expected that the gas would be gone within a few days, the combustion process continued and the crater is still burning.
The main reason why the combustion process takes so long is that the natural gas reserves in the region are much larger and denser than expected. Also in the crater life of microorganisms It also attracts a lot of attention from scientists.
extreme temperatures and resistant to methane gas These microorganisms also help us understand the limits of life in extreme conditions.
It has become a tourist attraction.
“Hell Gate” This volcano, called the volcano, attracts the attention of thousands of tourists every year. The visual feast created by the burning crater at night also offers an unforgettable experience for visitors. In addition, this natural wonder plays an important role in the cultural and tourist promotion of Turkmenistan.
Sources: WordsSideKick.com, Atlas Obscura, National Geographic
Ashley Johnson is a science writer for “Div Bracket”. With a background in the natural sciences and a passion for exploring the mysteries of the universe, she provides in-depth coverage of the latest scientific developments.