This is not a volcanic crater

[kayshapero]

OR a meteor crater for that matter - back in 1971, geologists managed to drill through into a large pocket of natural gas, which collapsed, slurping up drill rig and all. Someone had the brilliant idea - just burn it off so it doesn't contaminate the area*. It's still burning... The locals have dubbed it "The Door to Hell" which makes perfect sense to me. Click the photo for more info.


Again, my thanks to gifmovie on Tumblr for alerting me to this.

*Yeah, I find myself recalling how someone tried to get rid of an inconvenient dead whale about that same year... :)

Comments

[shockwave77598.livejournal.com]

PRetty impressive, no? :)

[kayshapero]

Pretty impressive, yes! Leastwise the neighbors have kept their sense of humor. I just hope it continues to burn off this way instead of opening a few more holes...

[capplor.livejournal.com]

Looks like it could be a tourist hot spot, if they play this right.

[ap-aelfwine.livejournal.com]

Magnificent view of it, but I do agree that the local name makes a lot of sense.

Thanks for sharing!

[ghostwolf.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, but I keep expecting FAIL! to appear in big, bold white letters.

[kayshapero]

Grin...

Just realized I forgot to say where it was. It's near Derweze, Turkmenistan, a town of 350 people. To see it on Google Earth or the like, try 40°15′10″N 58°26′22″E