This climatic bomb has been burning for 50 years, but it could finally disappear in 2025

Since the Karakoum desert. Moreover, in the heart of Turkmenistan, a brazier powered by natural gas continuously burned for more than half a century. However, Rightly nicknamed “the door of hell”. In addition, this gas field gives off enormous amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas whose warming power is much higher than that of Co₂. Consequently, A real climate nightmare, which has long been completely left aside by the local authorities.

This phenomenon. In addition, unique in the world, could finally touch its end; Not because Turkmenistan would have found the solution magically, but because the gas reserves that keep it alive are exhausted.

The door of hell: toxic heritage of the Soviet era

Officially named Darvaza crater. Consequently, the site extends 70 meters wide for 30 meters deep. Furthermore, It is an artificial cavity. formed in the early 1970s following a drilling accident when Soviet geologists have mistakenly dug in Unot unstable underground cavity containing a high concentration of natural gas. Under pressure. the ground would have sagged, causing the formation of a large crater

Fearing an uncontrolled liberation of toxic gas, the engineers would then have decided to light the gas to burn it on the spot, thinking that combustion would extend by itself in a few days. What they had not planned is that the underground tank containing the gas was much larger than they imagined. this climatic bomb been burning The home, 50 years later, continues to be fed. A big calculation error!

The exact origin of the accident. however, remains confused: several testimonies bring it up to the 1960s, with much later inflammation. In the absence of accessible Soviet archives. no precise chronology could be established; There is therefore, to date, not really official version explaining the real origins of the Porte de l’Enfer.

What we know on the other hand with certainty is that the crater has been giving off huge quantities of methane burned in the open air for several decades. for several decades, without it being captured or treated. If we had to retain a catastrophic balance of the extraordinary industrial experiences of the USSR. it would largely enter the top 10.

All attempts to extinguish fire since the 1990s have failed. Ex-president Gourbangouly Berdymouhamedov had this climatic bomb been burning promised to close the site, especially in 2010, and reiterated this intention in 2022, but without success. His son. Serdar Berdymouhamedov, in power since March of the same year, recently said he wanted to take over the torch (without a bad word game) and closed the crater forever. Nevertheless, maybe for once, theA nature will prevail over political decisions.

Indeed, in 2023, satellite data from Captrio showed a drop in the glow issued by the craterconfirmed by field observations. The blaze, formerly visible from the upper atmosphere, is now only when you get closer.

The door of hell could therefore be died slowly, because Its gas reserves have been exhausted. If it was really the case. it would be great news for the planet, which will no longer have to suffer from its emanations. Nevertheless. let’s not shout ourselves victory too quickly, Casterio observations could be due to other factors this climatic bomb been burning : Pressure fluctuations within the deposit, climatic variations, changes in fire supply ducts, moving the ignition point, etc.

The hypothesis of natural exhaustion thus remains to be confirmedbut according to the words of Irina Lourieva (director of the national company Turkmengaz). reported by the magazine Geo, The news is good. « We have managed to control the gas supply of the crater on fire. to significantly increase gas extraction and intensity decreases ». Remember that Turkmenistan is not specially a recognized country For its opening to the worldand that the information given. by the big managers should not necessarily be taken for cash. Case to follow, therefore.

• A crater on fire for more than 50 years in Turkmenistan (nicknamed Porte de l’Enfer) releases large quantities of methane. strongly affecting global warming.
• Recent signs indicate a possible natural weakening of fire. potentially linked to the exhaustion of the gas this climatic bomb been burning reserve supplying the deposit.
• The country’s authorities assure that the crater emits less gas. but in the absence of external verification, this information must be taken with precaution.

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