- Darvaza
Infobox Settlement
official_name = Darvaza
native_name =
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pushpin_label_position =bottom
pushpin_mapsize = 300
pushpin_map_caption =Location in Turkmenistan
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name =
subdivision_name1 =Ahal Province
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latd=40 |latm=11 |lats=|latNS=N
longd=58|longm=24|longs=|longEW=E
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footnotes =Darvaza (
Turkmen language : "The Gate"Fact|date=June 2008) is aTurkmenistan village of about 350 inhabitants, located in the middle of theKara-Kum desert, about 260 km north fromAshgabat .Darvaza inhabitants are mostly Turkmen of the
Teke tribe, preserving a half-nomadic lifestyle.The "Door to Hell"
Darvaza underground is naturally rich in
natural gas . In 1971, during a drilling, geologists accidentally found an underground cavern filled with natural gas. The ground on which the drilling rig was placed collapsed, leaving a large gaping hole exposed with a diameter of about 50-100 meters. To avoid poisonous gases coming out of the hole, it was decided to let the gases burn. As of2008 , gases in the underground cavern are still burning without interruption. Locals have named the cavern The Door to Hell.See also
*
Mine fire
*List of cities, towns and villages in Turkmenistan External links
* [http://johnhbradley.com/pictures2.asp?var=070707darvaza Photos from the Darvaza Gas Crater or "Gates of Hell"]
* [http://www.stantours.com/tm_rg_ahal_do.html Tourist information for Darvaza]
*
* [http://englishrussia.com/?p=1830 English-Russia article on the phenomenon]
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