Boing Boing

Boing Boing

Turkmenistan’s “Gates of Hell” crater is finally going out after 54 years

Ellsworth Toohey
Jul 23, 2026
∙ Paid

Darvaza gas crater — Tormod Sandtorv / CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikipedia)

The Darvaza gas crater in Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert — 60 to 70 meters across, 30 meters deep, and burning since 1971 — earned the nickname “Door to Hell” thanks to its hundreds of natural gas fires covering its floor and rim, visible for miles across the desert night. It was born whe…

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Boing Boing.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
© 2026 Happy Mutants LLC · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture