Crater Of Curiosity

750°F, average temperature from a gas pocket in the Darvaza crater

The mysterious goings-on beneath the earth’s surface are relatively unknown to the everyday traveller. On occasion, an opportunity emerges to peak below at the, often, resulting chaos. Such a curious spectacle exists deep within the Karakum Desert, a colossal wilderness dominating almost 80% of Turkmenistan.

Karakum is not your usual desert, a journey through it comprises ancient ruined cities protected by UNESCO, hillside emptiness reminiscent of an environmental dystopia, and rattling passenger trains rumbling through flat, barren lands. What lies beneath adds to the uniqueness of this desert, with one of the world’s largest natural gas reserves waiting to be excavated for future energy use. This abundance of gas leads us to the almost unreal phenomenon of the Darvaza gas crater, unbelievably seen today due to human activity.

Burning since the early-1970s, this seemingly prehistoric volcano emerging from the earth’s crust permanently burns from its hundreds of fire pits within the striking chasm. In excess of 200-feet wide, 100-feet deep, and its constant catalytic activity, the crater spectacularly stands out amongst its desert location.

Commonly called the Gates of Hell, the craters history remains as mysterious as its present-day existence. Soviet scientists were searching for natural gases within the desert when a collapse in the surface enabled the escape of gas, which quickly became out of control. A decision was made to set the crater on fire, believing it would stop burning within a month, unpredictably it continues to burn 50 years later. It’s worth saying that the exact tale of the craters emergence is unknown, as no actual records exist.

Travelling to this monumental landscape is not for the faint-hearted, as its situated 160 miles from Turkmenistan’s capital city, Ashgabat. The alternative option, and our preferred journey, is a similar distance drive arriving from the deep north of the country. After crossing the border from Uzbekistan, visit the ancient site of Konye-Urgench, before heading across the desert to Darvaza, in time for sunset.

Whilst the atmosphere of the crater is other-worldly during the day, the experience becomes full-on indescribable as nightfall arrives. A night spent at Darvaza, in either tents or yurts, invites freezing desert temperatures fighting the fiery heat of the crater itself. It’s unknown when, or if, the Darvaza gas crater will ever stop burning.