The Gates of Hell: Burning Gas Crater in Turkmenistan Has Been Ablaze for 41 Years

One look at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derweze">Gates of Hell</a> and you'll be saying your prayers to avoid an eternity surrounded by fire. Located in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karakum_Desert">Karakum desert</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkmenistan">Turkmenistan</a>, this fiery crater has been burning away for over four decades, and its <a href="http://inhabitat.com/google-earth-reveals-glowing-green-sea-near-scottish-nuclear-power-plant%C2%A0/">arresting glow</a> can be seen for miles once the sun falls. Click ahead to learn more, and to see some of photographer <a href="http://www.johnhbradley.com/">John Bradley</a>'s amazing images.

The crater measures a staggering 197 feet in diameter and is nearly 70 feet deep.

The hole is known as the Darvaza Gas Crater, or the "Gates of Hells" by locals, and the crater can be seen, and smelt, for miles around.

As Bradley reports, "The smell of burning sulfur can be detected from a distance and becomes quite strong as you near the hot edge of the crater."

So how did this glowing and gaseous crater get there?

Unfortunately the burning gates are <a href="http://inhabitat.com/moynoqs-desert-ships-are-a-testament-to-mans-impact-on-the-environment/">not a natural phenomenon </a>and the crater is in fact the result of a Soviet gas exploration accident that occurred back in 1971.

During drilling, a Soviet rig had fell into an underground cavern and punctured the earth releasing noxious gas into the air. To avoid an even greater environmental disaster, the Soviets set the natural glass aflame believing it would burn off in just a few days -- it has been burning ever since.

Satellite view.

The crater during the day.

The crater during the day.