The Door to Hell A burning natural gas field in Derweze Turkmenistan

The Door to Hell is a natural gas field in Derweze which is also called Darwaza, actual meaning is"gate", Ahal Province, Turkmenistan. The Door to Hell is noted for its natural gas firing which has been burning incessantly since 1971 as it was lit by Soviet petrochemical scientists, fed by the rich natural gas deposits in the area. The pungent smell of burning sulfur permeates the area for some distance. The field is located near the Derweze village in the middle of the Karakum Desert, about 260 kilometers north from Ashgabat. The gas reserve found here is one of the largest in the world. The name, "Door to Hell", was given to the field by the locals, referring to the fire, boiling mud and orange flames in Derweze's large crater with a diameter of 230 ft. Source: Charismatic Planet