Darvaza
Derweze | |
|---|---|
  Derweze Location in Turkmenistan | |
| Coordinates: 40°15′09.48″N 58°26′21.93″E / 40.2526333°N 58.4394250°E | |
| Country |  Turkmenistan |
| Province | Ahal Province |
| Population (1989 census) | |
• Total | 1,683 |
Derweze (from Template:Lang-fa, literally "gate"; also known as Darvaza) is a village in Turkmenistan of about 350 inhabitants, located in the middle of the Karakum Desert, about 260 km north of Ashgabat.
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."[citation needed]
Darvaza gas crater
The Derweze area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas.[1][2] 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. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn off the gas,[3] and while geologists had hoped the fire would consume the fuel in a few days, the gas is still burning nearly fifty years later.
Locals have named the crater the "Door to Hell".[4]
See also
- Energy policy of the Soviet Union
- Eternal Flame Falls
- List of cities, towns and villages in Turkmenistan
- Mine fire
- Sidoarjo mud flow
References
- ^ Kressmann, Jeremy (2008-03-25). "Turkmenistan's "Door to Hell"". Gadling.com. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
- ^ https://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/turkmenistan-has-its-very-own-gate-to-hell
- ^ "Darvaz: The Door to Hell". English Russia. 2008-03-25. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
- ^ "The Burning Gas Door to Hell in Darvaza, Turkmenistan". Yourenotfromaroundhere.com. 2012-07-31. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
External links
- Photos from the Darvaza Gas Crater or "Gates of Hell"
- Tourist information for Darvaza
- Pictures and YouTube link
- Au bord du cratère de Darvaza
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