The Real “DOOR TO HELL”: GIANT Hole in Desert Has Been on Fire For Over 40 YEARS
The Darvaza gas crater,
Greetings, my name is Austine Ochieng and I am pleased to inform you that it is nearly the month of October, which happens to be my favorite month of the year. This is due to the fact that fall is my preferred season, as it is neither too hot nor too cold. Additionally, this time of year marks the beginning of the holiday season, starting with one of my favorite holidays, Halloween. During this time, I am working on a few videos for my channel, and while doing so, I stumbled upon a fascinating location that resembles the gates of hell. Before delving into this topic, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge our sponsor for today's video, Audible. More information on this will be provided at the end of the video. Now, let us return to the matter at hand. What if hell existed on earth, and what if it was our fault? This may seem like a dramatic statement, but there is a real place that many believe is worthy of the devil himself. This place is known as the Darwaza gas crater, a nightmarish inferno inadvertently created by human interference. It is located in the Karakum desert in Central Asia and has earned the nickname of the Gateway to Hell. If you are a Star Wars fan, you may compare it to the notorious Sarlacc pit, albeit without the hot breath. Furthermore, you need not worry about being slowly digested, as you would likely burn up in a matter of seconds. However, the crucial question is why this place exists in the first place, and how did the crater come to be? Well, it was all the fault of geologists who arrived from the Soviet Union in 1971. They were attempting to drill for oil but instead caused a massive fire. They realized something was wrong when the ground beneath them began to cave in, but it was too late. They had set up operations in an unstable area containing an underground pocket of natural gas, such as methane. The ground was unable to support the weight of the equipment, and after a terrifying experience, the Darwaza crater was born. It measures 230 feet wide and 65 feet deep, although some claim it is closer to 100 feet. The flames reach a scorching temperature of a thousand degrees Celsius. With so much gas escaping, there was no way to keep going. The geologists had an idea to set fire to the methane, which, as risky as it sounds, is the most effective method of ensuring natural gas does not escape into the air. Shockingly, it only takes five percent of methane to be present in the air before a reaction occurs, resulting in an explosion. There are further dangers in the effect that the gas has on oxygen. Natural gas pushes oxygen away, and as a result of the geologists' mistake, local wildlife was being killed off. The crater was set on fire, and spiders, lots of spiders, were attracted by the flame. They showed up from all directions and started to jump into the pit of fire. While this is probably a natural phenomenon, it is still quite unsettling. The Soviet team hoped that by lighting the crater, the problem would be solved, and it certainly took care of the gas. However, there was one serious problem: there was so much gas that the crater is still on fire today, 50 years later. It is challenging to know what to do with this unusual location. A recommendation was made to fill it in a few years back, but so far, this has not come to fruition. In the meantime, tourists show up to the crater to check it out, although it is not without its dangers. Back in 2015, a scientist named George RunAs was lowered into the depths of the crater to collect soil samples. He was attached to a robot and wore a protective suit. While this may seem insane, there was a serious purpose behind the descent. By studying soil in these extreme situations, scientists hope to gain insight into whether life can exist under flesh-meltingly hot conditions. In conclusion, while the Darwaza gas crater may be a fascinating location, it is also a reminder of the dangers of human interference. It is a place that I would never want to visit, but it is still a natural wonder, albeit one that was accidentally created by us. .
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