Infrared imaging data collected this year indicate that the flames inside Turkmenistan’s Darvaza gas crater, known as the ‘Door to Hell,’ have weakened significantly. The monitoring organization Capterio found that the fire’s heat intensity has dropped by more than 75 percent over the past three years. The crater, located in the Karakum Desert about four hours from Ashgabat, has burned continuously for decades and remains a popular attraction for adventurous tourists.

Turkmenistan’s government has long sought to extinguish the fire, citing environmental and health concerns. A 2024 publication from the Turkmen Energy Forum stated that two wells were drilled near the crater to extract natural gas, which officials linked to the reduced flames. However, Capterio’s analysis suggests the decline began before the drilling, leaving open the possibility of natural causes.

The site emits methane gas, averaging about 1,300 kilograms per hour between 2022 and 2025, according to Carbon Mapper. Scientists note that while the fire converts methane into less harmful carbon dioxide, the flames are unlikely to extinguish completely soon.