Archive · 21 Aug 2025
Turkmenistan's 'Gateway to Hell' Fire Nearing Extinguishment
Imagine a giant hole in the desert that's been on fire for over 50 years!
This is the 'Gateway to Hell' in Turkmenistan.
It's burning because of a lot of natural gas leaking out.
The government is now trying to put it out because it's bad for the air and also because they want to use the gas.
They're doing this by digging wells to catch the gas and stop the fire from burning so strongly.
It's working, and the fire is getting smaller!
The 'Gateway to Hell,' a burning gas crater in Turkmenistan, may be extinguished.
The fire has been burning for over 50 years in the Karakum Desert.
Turkmenistan is working to extinguish the fire to reduce environmental impact.
Efforts involve drilling wells to capture methane gas, reducing emissions.
The fire's intensity has decreased significantly, according to officials.
- Who
- Turkmenistan's government and state-owned energy company, Turkmengaz.
- What
- The 'Gateway to Hell,' a burning gas crater, is being extinguished.
- When
- The fire started in 1971 and efforts to extinguish it are ongoing, with recent progress.
- Where
- Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan.
- Why
- To reduce environmental impact from methane emissions and for economic reasons related to gas reserves.
- Location
- Karakum Desert, Turkmenistan
- Start Date
- 1971
- Objective
- Extinguishing the gas fire
- Method
- Drilling wells to capture methane
- Company Involved
- Turkmengaz
- Current Status
- Fire's intensity has decreased