THIS FIRE HAS BURNED SINCE 1971?! #shorts

Added: 2026-04-28

[00:00:00]This is the door to hell and it has been burning since 1971.

[00:00:05]It was never supposed to last more than a few days. Stay to the end because I'll tell you the one practical reason this fire almost can't go out on its own.

[00:00:13]Here's what happened. Soviet geologists were drilling in Turkmanistan's Caracum desert when the ground collapsed into a cavern. Methane started leaking out. To stop a toxic gas cloud from spreading, they ignited it, expecting the gas would burn off fast. What would you have done instead? Ignite it, seal it, or evacuate. Write your choice in the comments. So, why is it still burning?

[00:00:35]Because the crater isn't just a hole.

[00:00:37]It's a vent connected to a larger natural gas deposit. As long as methane keeps seeping up and oxygen can reach it, the fire keeps feeding itself. The only real way to stop it is to cut the fuel supply by sealing pathways or draining pressure with additional wells.

[00:00:52]That's the reveal. It's not an eternal fire. It's a steady gas leak that's been hard to shut down. If you liked this, subscribe and turn on notifications.