Something Cool for Thursday Morning - The Door to Hell

[Buffalo Phil]

Turkmenistan - Darvaza

In the heart of the Karakum desert of Turkmenistan the Darvaza Gas Crater or The Burning Gates give off a glow that can be seen from miles away during the dark night. The large crater is a result of a Soviet gas exploration accident that occurred in 1971. It was created when a Soviet drilling rig was drilling for natural gas fell into an underground cavern resulting in a crater which today measures roughly 60 meters in diameter and 20 meters deep. The huge crater was set alight shortly after being discovered and has been burning ever since. The smell of burning sulfur can be detected from a distance and becomes quite strong as you near the hot edge of the crater.

To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn it off. Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but the gas still burns 40 years later. Locals have dubbed the cavern "The Door to Hell".

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnKqMQgV1vg[/ame]

Skip to later in the video to see.

Akin to the underground mine fire in Centralia, Pennsylvania, I'm sure that these fire will remain lit for years to come. Thought it was pretty cool and decided to share.

[DizzDizz]

ya thats pretty interesting

[Ruepart Hoaxley]

Holy shit.

[Lawn Guyland]

wow...that's crazy

[DizzDizz]

so this is where i go when i die??