Derweze (Turkmen language: The Gate, also known as Darvaza) 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 Derweze area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971
geologists accidentally found an underground cavern filled with
natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a
large hole with a diameter of about 50-100 meters. To avoid poisonous
gas discharge, it was decided to burn the gas. Geologists had hoped
the fire would go out in a few days but it has been burning ever
since. Locals have named the cavern The Door to Hell. Next to
capturing the gas, flaring is safer and friendlier to the environment
than releasing the methane into the atmosphere as methane is a
relatively potent greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential
of 72 (averaged over 20 years) or 25 (averaged over 100 years).
Turkmenistan plans to increase its production of natural gas. In April
2010, the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow visited
the site and ordered that the hole should be closed, or other measures
be taken to limit its influence on the development of other natural
gas fields in the area.
Not far from the burning crater are two other craters of similar
origin. These craters are not burning as the gas pressure is much
weaker. At the bottom of one of these craters is light grey mud while
the last crater contains a turquoise lake. This lake prevents further
attempts at drilling. Not far from the burning crater are several
dormant wells (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derweze).
My video: youtu.be/7we6mz0TyZA
Aécio, franceseattle, the_panopticon, TV Mole, and 32 other people added this photo to their favorites.
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Héctor Gardel Photography 33 months ago | reply
no me lo puedo creer....alguien me dice lo que significa pro?
Vorena Pullo [deleted] 33 months ago | reply
Tenía que hacer un calor de la ostia ...=D Ojalá pudiera conocer sitios así :P
Saludos y excelentes todas tus fotografías
fishmonger45 31 months ago | reply
Amazing capture!!!!!!!!
Seen in the Dramatic Color pool.
Feathers_Iron 26 months ago | reply
How close were you able to get?
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