DOOR TO HELL

More than 40 years ago, a gaping, fiery crater opened up in the desert of northern Turkmenistan, most likely after a drilling mishap. The Darvaza Crater, known as the Door to Hell, is still burning, which is an odd occurrence since the landscape is actually barren. Rumor has it that Soviet scientists set it on fire to burn off noxious gases after the ground but underestimated the amount of fuel that lay below.

Turkmenistan has the sixth largest natural gas reserves in the world. The mysterious crater measures 69 metres (210 feet) wide and 30 metres (90 feet) deep and sits within a large natural gas field in Ahal Province in Turkmenistan.

The 'Door to Hell', has sparked the curiosity of many over the years. In an attempt to discover the secrets of alien life, George Kourounis became the first to actually step in. Nobody's really sure how the gaping hole of fire known as the 'Door to Hell' came to be. Some say it was a drilling mishap made worse by attempts to burn off the gas several decades ago. Whatever it was, the Darvaza Crater has sparked the curiosity of many over the years, including that of George Kourounis.

He recently plunged himself into the mysterious burning pit to see what really goes on down there, making him the first person to dare to do so. At the top of the list of thing's he'd hoped to find was life, as such a discovery could provide valuable insights into what may or may not be living on hot, volatile planets. The endeavor was a success, as bacteria were detected in some of the soil samples he took from the bottom.

He said, "...everywhere you look it's thousands of these small fires. The sound was like that of a jet engine...You feel very, very small and very vulnerable in a place like that."

Turkmenistan is one of the most isolated countries in the world, yet its fledgling tourism industry hopes to capitalise on crater as an attraction for thrillseekers. Because it’s not fenced off, visitors can stand right on the edge of the crater, despite the safety hazards.

Being the first man exploring this mysterious ‘Door To Hell’ hole to discover alien life must be just an incredible odyssey! WOW!

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Source: National Geography