Turkmenistan\’s methane‑spewing Gateway to Hell turns its fury

The “Gateway to Hell” Crater: A Fiery Past, a Silent Future

Unexpected Arrival

What visitors expected: a roaring inferno amid the Turkmen desert.
What they actually found: a dull, charred cauldron with only a few ember pockets.

50 Years of Burning

• The crater, about 70 m (230 ft) wide, had been actively flaring for half a century.
• It spewed copious methane, contributing to Turkmenistan’s status as the world’s largest source of gas‑leak emissions.
• Authorities finally took action in 2022, aiming to curb greenhouse gases and bolster climate goals.

Tourism vs. Environment

The crater had become Turkmenistan’s marquee tourist drawcard.
Extinguishing it means losing a unique sight that fuels local businesses.

Government Decision

• President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov ordered the fire to be fully extinguished.
• He cited both environmental harm and lost economic opportunity from gas exports.
• He noted the crater’s negative impact on local health and its inefficiency in resource use.

Global Methane Pledge

• Turkmenistan has pledged a 30 % methane reduction by 2030.
• Extinguishing the crater aligns with this goal but raises concerns among local tour operators.

Local Voices

Irina Luryeva: “The blazing glow we saw on old photos was gone.”
Aman, the driver: “The road is riddled with cracks and dunes, making travel perilous.”
Ovez Muradov: “Tourism could suffer significantly when the crater is silent.”

Background & History

In 1971, Soviet scientists unintentionally drilled into a subterranean gas pocket, starting the blaze to avoid poisoning local wildlife.
The crater has remained active, becoming an iconic light show visible from kilometers away.

Looking Ahead

• Extinguishing will reduce methane releases and potentially improve public health.
• The loss of a distinctive tourist attraction may slow the nation’s limited tourism growth.
• Future strategies will need to balance environmental sustainability with economic diversification.