A deep and wide crater has been burning in Turkmenistan since the 1970s. But after almost 50 years, now efforts are being made to extinguish it. It is called the ‘Gates of Hell’, which means ‘the door of hell’. There is a very interesting story of its birth. Due to the wrong guess of some scientists, it caught fire which is still burning. The President of Turkmenistan has ordered it to be extinguished but can it really be put out? Because earlier also there have been efforts for this which were unsuccessful.
The ‘Gates of Hell’ fiery sinkhole is 230 feet wide and is located in Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert, about 150 miles north of the country’s capital, Ashgabat. Its diameter is about 60 meters and depth is about 20 meters. Geologists had started a fire to stop the gas from spreading. Scientists expected that in a few weeks the gas would burn and end. Since then this fire has been burning continuously.
The pit is harming the health of the people
The country’s President Gurbanguly Berdymukhmedov has ordered his government to look for ways to put out the fire as it is causing “ecological damage”. It is being said that the health of the people living nearby is also being affected by this. Some Soviet scientists are said to have burnt it in 1971. According to a popular story, scientists were searching for natural gas deposits in the desert.
How was the ‘Door of Hell’ born?
During the search operation, the top layers of soil got eroded inwards, creating a 70 feet deep pit which was filled with dangerous gas. To eliminate the gas, scientists set it on fire. They felt that in a few weeks the gas would run out and the fire would be extinguished. But even after 51 years, the fire is still burning in the pit and it can be seen from several kilometers away.
Efforts have already been made to stop
Attempts have been made before to close the door of hell. In 2010, Berdymukhmedov ordered experts to close it, but despite all efforts, it could not be closed. Three years later the President declared it a natural reserve and it became a major center of tourism. Thousands of people travel every year to see it. Berdymukhmedov even made a video of himself walking around the pit in 2019 to quell rumors of his death. Now once again an order has been issued to close it.
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