V Turkmenistánu září Brána do pekla

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Darvaza 'Gates Of Hell' gas crater in Karakum Desert, Turkmenistan - 21 Jul 2012 2012-07-21 00:00:00 Mandatory Credit: Photo by Amos Chapple / Rex Features (1843563j) The Gates Of Hell It's known by locals as the 'gates of hell' and after a glimpse of the Darvaza gas crater it isn't difficult to see why. Located in Turkmenistan's Karakum Desert, the eerie cavern has been on fire for more than 40 years. It was discovered in 1971 by Soviet geologists when the ground beneath their drilling rig suddenly collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 70 metres (230 ft). As the huge crater was filled with potentially poisonous natural gas the decision was made to set it alight. Scientists expected it to burn itself out within a few days, but fast forward several decades and, amazingly, the fire is still as fierce as ever. At night the orange glow it produces can be seen for miles around and the heat attracts animals and insects to huddle close by. Meanwhile, when the wind gust across the crater it turns scaldingly hot - being likened to the 'opening of an enormous oven door'. MUST CREDIT PHOTOS BY: Amos Chapple / Rex Features For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/IUSRWMDCZ
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