The story behind this place is ,In 1971 when Turkmenistan was part of the USSR,geologists were sent to explore natural gas in the desert. While drilling geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of about 70 metres (230 ft).To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn it off.Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but the gas still burns 40 years later emitting enormous light and heat .Though it is a spectacular view but one can easily notice the craters effect to this day.The burning crater pours stench of sulphur making anything with nasal cavity flee from the vicinity.