Turkmenistan authorities have announced that they reduced the fire, which has been lasting for over 50 years in two thirds.
Turquemenistan announced on Thursday that it took significant steps in the extinction of the infamous gas fire that continuously burns for over 50 years In the Karakum Desert.
The site, widely known as the “gates of hell”, was accidentally created in 1971, when Soviet scientists drilled to look for gas caused a collapse in a underground cave full of natural gas. Believing that the safest would be to burn the gas, they lit the crater, not knowing that the fire would last decades, recalls.
Currently, the authorities claim that the fire was two -thirds. However, they did not provide a clear chronology or scientific data that supports this statement. “While before a huge fire shine was visible several kilometers away, hence the name ‘Gate of Hell’, today there is only one source of combustion,” said Irina Luryeva, director of Turkmengaz, the state energy company during an environmental conference in Ashgabat.
Luryeva also mentioned that several new wells around the crater were drilled to capture methane, an effort to reduce emissions of this powerful gas with greenhouse effect. Methane is considered one of the main contributors to global warming due to its significant heat capture potential, although it remains in the atmosphere for a shorter period than carbon dioxide.
The “gates of hell” has long been the most unusual tourist attraction of Turquemenistan, attracting visitors despite the country’s statute as one of the world’s most secret regimes. Situated in Remote Desert Zonethe sinister glow of fire fascinates and restless travelers for decades.
It is thought that Turquemenistan has the fourth largest natural gas reserve from the world. Nevertheless, the country is the target of scrutiny due to its environmental history. The International Energy Agency (AIE) has recently identified Turquemenistan as the world’s largest methane emitter through gas leakage.
Ashgabat’s authorities denied this statement, insisting that efforts such as the current reduction in crater fire demonstrate Commitment to Environmental Responsibility.
