Hell gate, Turkmenistan (2/10)

Karakum is a desert in Central Asia, occupying as much as 70% of Turkmen territory. In this desert, there was Darvaza village (it was evacuated in 2004), and large natural gas fields are located very close to the territory of the former village. Interestingly, in 1971, geologists discovered a large gas-filled underground cavity through the Earth’s surface. The cavity collapsed and a pit of about 70 meters in diameter was formed. It has been called “Hell Gates” by local people because gas is burning here without delay. The hot air pit looks really mystical.