Archive · 7 Jun 2025
Turkmenistan Reduces Iconic 'Gateway to Hell' Gas Fire
Imagine a giant fiery pit in the desert called the 'Gateway to Hell,' that has been burning for over 50 years!
It started when scientists accidentally drilled into a gas pocket.
The fire has been reduced by capturing the gas using special wells.
This means the fire is now much smaller.
The fire has been a popular place to visit.
The government hopes to manage the gas to prevent harmful environmental impact, which they have been doing.
Turkmenistan has significantly reduced the 'Gateway to Hell' gas crater fire.
The fire, burning since 1971, was caused by a Soviet drilling accident.
Officials have reduced the fire's intensity by capturing methane.
The site has been a tourist attraction despite environmental concerns.
The fire was previously visible from several kilometers away.
- Who
- Officials from Turkmengaz
- What
- Significant reduction of the 'Gateway to Hell' fire.
- When
- The reduction was recently announced
- Where
- Karakum desert, Turkmenistan
- Why
- To capture methane and reduce the fire's intensity.
- Location
- Karakum desert, Turkmenistan
- Event
- Significant reduction of the 'Gateway to Hell' gas fire
- Original Cause
- Soviet drilling mishap in 1971
- Duration
- Burning since 1971
- Fire Reduction
- Reduced three-fold
- Methane Mitigation
- Methane capture via drilled wells
- Crater Depth
- Approximately 30 meters
- Crater Width
- Approximately 70 meters
