Located in Turkmenistan, a mysterious landmark known as ____ has been burning continuously since 1971.
In the middle of the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan, a giant fiery crater known as the Darvaza Gas Crater has been burning non-stop since 1971.
The Origin:
- 🏗️ Soviet engineers were drilling for oil when the ground collapsed into a large cavern filled with natural gas
- 🧪 To prevent the spread of poisonous methane gas, they decided to light it on fire, expecting it to burn out in a few weeks
- ⏳ Contrary to their calculations, the gas supply was so vast that it has continued to burn for over five decades
The Current State:
- 📏 The crater is approximately 70 meters wide and 30 meters deep
- 🌋 It has become one of Turkmenistan's most famous tourist attractions, glowing brightly enough to be seen from miles away at night
It stands as a vivid reminder of how human intervention can lead to long-lasting and unpredictable environmental phenomena.