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
janine su, Caricola, tom.w.bn, and 83 other people added this photo to their favorites.
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.2107images. 37 months ago | reply
wow .. impressive place .. kinda scary too .. :-)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
FLEMING2009 37 months ago | reply
Collect 5 awards to request an invitation to
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Jebon's 37 months ago | reply
Great shot!
Discovered! by
pinguin1961 37 months ago | reply
Absolutly fantastic!
This picture really looks like from a fantasy film.
Wonderful image!
Thank you for sharing with us....
Photo Lovers(Post.2+Comment 3)
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Mikel Gasteiz 37 months ago | reply
wow, spectacular place and photo!
Excelente foto, vista en:
Excellent photo, seen in:
;Una foto + que mil palabras(post1-vote2) One photo + a thousand
mas que mil palabras
Toni Rodríguez 37 months ago | reply
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Jeckh 37 months ago | reply
Great shot!
Discovered! by
JAKE473 37 months ago | reply
Excelente foto.
Gracias por compartirla.
Vista en
Seen in:
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TO SHOW YOUR LAND
jjamv (on holiday) 37 months ago | reply
I saw this photo in: Nature and Nothing Else (Post 1 - Award 3)
If you haven't already please tag your photo with nature_and_nothing_else
(Read Rules!)
Antonio Sales 37 months ago | reply
Wow! This is a great photo! I saw it in
NaturePhotographs
r-h-b (222.222...T H A N K S !!!) 37 months ago | reply
great shot
Wonderful image!
Thank you for sharing with us....
Photo Lovers(Post.2+Comment 3)
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Khun Shaun (ชอร์น) 37 months ago | reply
Please tag photos with "5PhotosaDay".
● SandroG 37 months ago | reply
pretty picture!
Your fantastic color picture is my winner!
Color Photo Award (PREMIER)
The road to BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD starts at PREMIER!
Commented with SIC
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Caricola 36 months ago | reply
Beautiful!! / Hermosa!!!
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Sad Bishop 34 months ago | reply
Fascinating story
Fresh Light 31 months ago | reply
..hot..............
marcellucray 30 months ago | reply
striking
Ferry Vermeer 23 months ago | reply
Stunning!
jimctu 19 months ago | reply
fantastic!
SA_Steve 3 months ago | reply
Fascinating!