Darvaza
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Darvaza
Darvaza Location in Turkmenistan
Coordinates: 40°11′N 58°24′E / 40.183, 58.4
Country	‎ Turkmenistan
Province	Ahal Province

Darvaza (Turkmen language: The Gate^{citation needed}) is a Turkmenistan village of about 350 inhabitants, located in the middle of the Kara-Kum desert, about 260 km north from Ashgabat.

Darvaza inhabitants are mostly Turkmen of the Teke tribe, preserving a half-nomadic lifestyle.

The "Door to Hell"

Darvaza underground is naturally rich in natural gas. In 1971, during a drilling, geologists accidentally found an underground cavern filled with natural gas. The ground on which the drilling rig was placed collapsed, leaving a large gaping hole exposed with a diameter of about 50-100 meters. To avoid poisonous gases coming out of the hole, it was decided to let the gases burn. As of 2008, gases in the underground cavern are still burning without interruption. Locals have named the cavern The Door to Hell.

See also

• Mine fire
• List of cities, towns and villages in Turkmenistan

External links

• Photos from the Darvaza Gas Crater or "Gates of Hell"
• Tourist information for Darvaza
• Flaming Crater, Darvaza Turkmenistan 1/6 - Phillips Connor at YouTube
• English-Russia article on the phenomenon

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