Located about 260 kilometers from the capital of Turkmenistan, the “Gates of Hell” appeared after the collapse of the underground cavity during drilling in 1971. Geologists decided to set them on fire to prevent an ecological disaster from the release of toxic gases. The fire was estimated to be extinguished within a few weeks, but the crater about 70 meters in diameter is still burning. But now the country’s authorities are considering putting it out. Why for him – more.

The ‘gates of hell’ are closing

• Darwaza Crater burns a lot of gas. According to country officials, it can be used for the welfare of the country and its people.
• Aim – stop this burning pit and use the natural gas reserves for the benefit of the country.
• The reason for the closure is also related to environmental and medical issues.
• At a time when countries around the world are trying to reduce their gas emissions and protect the atmosphere, it is clear that gas emissions are of particular concern.

The “gates of hell” serve as a natural environment for extremophilic bacteria that can withstand temperatures of up to 400 degrees. These bacteria are not even in the DNA database, according to George Kurunis, a researcher at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. Some may consume methane. As a result, it is a very unusual and mysterious way of life that lives in an unfavorable place for humans and ordinary creatures.

Putting out a fire can be a daunting task. It is not enough to throw too much sand into the pit. Even if you extinguish the fire by filling the hole, it still has a good chance of surfacing. Therefore, scientists already anticipate that a lot of research and cutting-edge technologies will be needed.

In 2010 they tried to put out the fire. More precisely, they were meeting, but then the head of the country for some reason postponed the decree that he had already issued for the future.

See what the ‘Gates of Hell’ look like day and night: video