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Derweze is located in Turkmenistan
Location in Turkmenistan
Coordinates: 40°15′09.48″N 58°26′21.93″E﻿ / ﻿40.2526333°N 58.4394250°E﻿ / 40.2526333; 58.4394250Coordinates: 40°15′09.48″N 58°26′21.93″E﻿ / ﻿40.2526333°N 58.4394250°E﻿ / 40.2526333; 58.4394250
Country Flag of Turkmenistan.svg Turkmenistan
Province Ahal Province
Population (1989 census)
 • Total 1,683


Darvaza inhabitants are mostly Turkmen of the Teke tribe, preserving a semi-nomadic lifestyle. In 2004 the village was disbanded following the order of the President of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov, because "it was an unpleasant sight for tourists."

Door to Hell gas deposit[edit]

Main article: Door to Hell
Panorama of the crater site, 2011.

The Derweze area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas.[1] The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 70 metres (230 ft) at 40°15′10″N 58°26′22″E﻿ / ﻿40.25264°N 58.43941°E﻿ / 40.25264; 58.43941﻿ (The Gates of Hell). To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided the best solution was to burn it off.[2] Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but the gas is still burning today. Locals have dubbed the cavern "The Door to Hell".[3]

See also[edit]


  1. ^ Kressmann, Jeremy (2008-03-25). "Turkmenistan's "Door to Hell"". Retrieved 2014-03-02. 
  2. ^ "Darvaz: The Door to Hell". English Russia. 2008-03-25. Retrieved 2014-03-02. 
  3. ^ "The Burning Gas Door to Hell in Darvaza, Turkmenistan". 2012-07-31. Retrieved 2014-03-02. 

External links[edit]