Tourists visiting the Turquoise Lake Crater nearby the burning Darvaza gas crater in Turkmenistan

Turquoise Lake Crater, the village of Derweze, Turkmenistan; May 15, 2016; Not far from the burning Darvaza gas crater are two other craters of similar origin. These craters are not burning as the gas pressure is much weaker. At the bottom of one of these craters is light grey mud while the last crater contains a turquoise lake. This lake prevents further attempts at drilling.

Tourists visiting the Turquoise Lake Crater nearby the burning Darvaza gas crater in Turkmenistan

Turquoise Lake Crater, the village of Derweze, Turkmenistan; May 15, 2016; Tourists visiting the Turquoise Lake Crater nearby the burning Darvaza gas crater in Turkmenistan. Not far from the burning Darvaza gas crater are two other craters of similar origin. These craters are not burning as the gas pressure is much weaker. At the bottom of one of these craters is light grey mud while the last crater contains a turquoise lake. This lake prevents further attempts at drilling.

Panoramic view of a crater nearby the burning Darvaza gas crater in Turkmenistan

Crater, the village of Derweze, Turkmenistan; May 15, 2016; Panoramic view of a crater nearby the burning Darvaza gas crater in Turkmenistan. Not far from the burning Darvaza gas crater are two other craters of similar origin. One of the craters is not burning so intensively as the gas pressure is much weaker. At the bottom of this craters is light grey mud.

Man walking nearby the burning Darvaza gas crater at sunset, Turkmenistan

The Darvaza gas crater, the village of Derweze, Turkmenistan; May 15, 2016; Man walking nearby the burning Darvaza gas crater at sunset, Turkmenistan. The Darvaza gas crater, also known as the Door to Hell or Gates of Hell, is a natural gas field collapsed into a cavern located in the middle of the Karakum Desert. Geologists intentionally set it on fire to prevent the spread of methane gas, and it is thought to have been burning continuously since 1971.

Tourists visiting the burning Darvaza gas crater at sunset, Turkmenistan

The Darvaza gas crater, the village of Derweze, Turkmenistan; May 15, 2016; Tourists visiting the burning Darvaza gas crater at sunset, Turkmenistan. The Darvaza gas crater, also known as the Door to Hell or Gates of Hell, is a natural gas field collapsed into a cavern located in the middle of the Karakum Desert. Geologists intentionally set it on fire to prevent the spread of methane gas, and it is thought to have been burning continuously since 1971.

Tourists visiting the burning Darvaza gas crater at sunset, Turkmenistan

The Darvaza gas crater, the village of Derweze, Turkmenistan; May 15, 2016; Tourists visiting the burning Darvaza gas crater at sunset, Turkmenistan. The Darvaza gas crater, also known as the Door to Hell or Gates of Hell, is a natural gas field collapsed into a cavern located in the middle of the Karakum Desert. Geologists intentionally set it on fire to prevent the spread of methane gas, and it is thought to have been burning continuously since 1971.

Tourists visiting the burning Darvaza gas crater at sunset, Turkmenistan

The Darvaza gas crater, the village of Derweze, Turkmenistan; May 15, 2016; Tourists visiting the burning Darvaza gas crater at sunset, Turkmenistan. The Darvaza gas crater, also known as the Door to Hell or Gates of Hell, is a natural gas field collapsed into a cavern located in the middle of the Karakum Desert. Geologists intentionally set it on fire to prevent the spread of methane gas, and it is thought to have been burning continuously since 1971.

Torist taking picture of the burning Darvaza gas crater at sunset, Turkmenistan

The Darvaza gas crater, the village of Derweze, Turkmenistan; May 15, 2016; Torist taking picture of the burning Darvaza gas crater at sunset, Turkmenistan. The Darvaza gas crater, also known as the Door to Hell or Gates of Hell, is a natural gas field collapsed into a cavern located in the middle of the Karakum Desert. Geologists intentionally set it on fire to prevent the spread of methane gas, and it is thought to have been burning continuously since 1971.

Man walking nearby the burning Darvaza gas crater at sunset, Turkmenistan

The Darvaza gas crater, the village of Derweze, Turkmenistan; May 15, 2016; The Darvaza gas crater, also known as the Door to Hell or Gates of Hell, is a natural gas field collapsed into a cavern located in the middle of the Karakum Desert. Geologists intentionally set it on fire to prevent the spread of methane gas, and it is thought to have been burning continuously since 1971.

Close-up of the burning Darvaza gas crater at sunset, Turkmenistan

The Darvaza gas crater, the village of Derweze, Turkmenistan; May 15, 2016; Close-up of the burning Darvaza gas crater at sunset, Turkmenistan. The Darvaza gas crater, also known as the Door to Hell or Gates of Hell, is a natural gas field collapsed into a cavern located in the middle of the Karakum Desert. Geologists intentionally set it on fire to prevent the spread of methane gas, and it is thought to have been burning continuously since 1971.

Close-up of the burning Darvaza gas crater at night, Turkmenistan

The Darvaza gas crater, the village of Derweze, Turkmenistan; May 15, 2016; The Darvaza gas crater, also known as the Door to Hell or Gates of Hell, is a natural gas field collapsed into a cavern located in the middle of the Karakum Desert. Geologists intentionally set it on fire to prevent the spread of methane gas, and it is thought to have been burning continuously since 1971.

Close-up of the burning Darvaza gas crater at night, Turkmenistan

The Darvaza gas crater, the village of Derweze, Turkmenistan; May 15, 2016; Close-up of the burning Darvaza gas crater at night, Turkmenistan. The Darvaza gas crater, also known as the Door to Hell or Gates of Hell, is a natural gas field collapsed into a cavern located in the middle of the Karakum Desert. Geologists intentionally set it on fire to prevent the spread of methane gas, and it is thought to have been burning continuously since 1971.

Close-up of the burning Darvaza gas crater at night, Turkmenistan

The Darvaza gas crater, the village of Derweze, Turkmenistan; May 15, 2016; Close-up of the burning Darvaza gas crater at night, Turkmenistan. The Darvaza gas crater, also known as the Door to Hell or Gates of Hell, is a natural gas field collapsed into a cavern located in the middle of the Karakum Desert. Geologists intentionally set it on fire to prevent the spread of methane gas, and it is thought to have been burning continuously since 1971.

Four people enjoying the burning Darvaza gas crater at night, Turkmenistan

The Darvaza gas crater, the village of Derweze, Turkmenistan; May 15, 2016; Four people enjoying the burning Darvaza gas crater at night, Turkmenistan. The Darvaza gas crater, also known as the Door to Hell or Gates of Hell, is a natural gas field collapsed into a cavern located in the middle of the Karakum Desert. Geologists intentionally set it on fire to prevent the spread of methane gas, and it is thought to have been burning continuously since 1971.