Analysis of Methane Emissions from the Darvaza Gas Crater

Methane (CH₄), a greenhouse gas 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO₂) over 20 years, has become one of the main drivers of climate change, with atmospheric levels doubling since pre-industrial times. Among its various natural and anthropogenic sources, such as oil and gas systems, coal mines, or landfills, the Darvaza gas crater in Turkmenistan stands out as a unique and persistent contributor. This crater, usually known as "Door to Hell", is located in the Amu-Darya basin, a geological formation replete with large quantities of oil and natural gas, in which methane is predominant. In 1971, a drilling operation for natural gas by a soviet geologist caused the ground to collapse. The resulting crater measured approximately 70 meters in diameter and 20 meters deep. To mitigate the release of hazardous gases, authorities ignited the escaping gas, burning without interruption so far. However, since last year, the fire in the crater has been reduced by the Turkmenistan government, as we can monitor using the VIIRS Fires and Thermal Anomalies product.
Our work focuses on detecting and quantifying the Darvaza methane emissions, trying to confirm whether there is a correlation between fire reduction and emissions. At the moment, we have detected more than 20 methane emissions using the hyperspectral imaging spectrometers EnMAP, PRISMA, and EMIT spaceborne instruments. The emissions range is between 1.000-3.000 kg/h, amounting to thousands of tonnes of CH₄ annually.
In addition to quantifying emissions, we examined the chronology of the crater flames. By analyzing radiance and thermal bands from Landsat 4-5, we determined the onset of the crater fire in late 1987 or early 1988, a detail previously shrouded in uncertainty. This revelation contributes to the temporal analysis of this crater and provides key information for estimating the total amount of methane released by the Darvaza crater to date.
Lastly, the unique conditions at Darvaza—continuous methane release and decades of intense fire—may have significantly altered the surrounding environment. To explore this possibility, we investigate soil composition and mineralogy changes using geological indices. This analysis aims to understand the broader environmental impact of the crater, offering insights into the long-term effects of such phenomena.