Astonishing photos show the Gates of Hell, a fiery gas crater that's been burning for decades in the Turkmenistan desert. The Darvaza crater, a fiery gas crater in Turkmenistan, is also known as the "Gates of Hell." The origins of the crater is contradictory, but it is believed to have been burning since 1971.

What country has the gates of hell?

Known as "The Gates of Hell", a massive molten pit in the Turkmenistan desert has been spewing fire for decades – but its origin is considered top-secret. The Karakum Desert is a massive expanse of sun-scorched sand dunes covering roughly 70% of Turkmenistan.

Are the gates of hell still burning?

And in 2013 he declared the part of the desert containing the crater a natural reserve. However, as of today, the Gates of Hell still burn brightly and at night its wicked orange glow can be seen for miles.