Door to Hell, Dervaza gas crater, Karakum dessert, Turkmenistan

The "Door to Hell" (also known as the Darvaza Crater) in Derweze, Turkmenistan The gas crater is located near the Derweze village, that’s in the middle of the Karakum Desert, about 260 kilometers north of the Turkmenistan capital Ashgabat. The gas reserve found here is one of the largest in the world. The name "Door to Hell" was given to the site by the locals, referring to the fire, boiling mud, and orange flames in the large crater. The crater collapsed into an underground cavern in 1971, becoming a natural gas crater. Geologists set it on fire to prevent the spread of methane gas. It was estimated that the gas would burn out within a few weeks, but it has continued to burn, and have now burned for more than 45 years. The diameter of the crater is 69 meters, and its depth is 30 meters. The gas crater has a total area of 5,350 m2. The surrounding area is also popular for wild desert camping.