Darvaza Burning Gas Crater - Turkmenistan
Located in desert of Turkmenistan is one of the most amazing landscapes in the world.
I know it looks like a lava-filled whole but it’s really nothing like that, it’s a man made crater dating back to the 1950s when the soviets were prospecting for natural gas. The strangest thing about it is it’s been burning ever since, that’s 58 years of continuous burn. Locals say animals are mesmerized by the flames as well, groups of thousands of spiders have been spotted plunging into the flames, as well as moths and birds. This is a one of a kind attraction and tourists say it’s worth the 3 our drive through the desert.
View of the crater from a distant hilltop with a Turkic ambulatory shrine.
Source: johnhbradley.com
I know it looks like a lava-filled whole but it’s really nothing like that, it’s a man made crater dating back to the 1950s when the soviets were prospecting for natural gas. The strangest thing about it is it’s been burning ever since, that’s 58 years of continuous burn. Locals say animals are mesmerized by the flames as well, groups of thousands of spiders have been spotted plunging into the flames, as well as moths and birds. This is a one of a kind attraction and tourists say it’s worth the 3 our drive through the desert.
Total overview of the crater, created by an accidental explosion as a result of natural gas exploratory drilling in 1986.
View of the crater from a distant hilltop with a Turkic ambulatory shrine.
Source: johnhbradley.com
