The exact cause behind the Darvaza Gas Crater—also known as the Shining of Karakum—remains a mystery, but sinkhole’s broader origins likely trace back to 1971. Currently, Turkmenistan’s Door to Hell measures roughly 230 feet wide by 100 feet deep, and often exceeds 1,832 degrees Fahrenheit. But at a recent international conference on hydrocarbon development hosted in Turkmenistan’s capital of Ashgabat, Darvaza’s stewards say the Door to Hell may finally be shutting on its own. Whereas the crater’s fiery illumination could once be seen from miles across the desert, Luryeva explained it’s now only visible upon close inspection. It’s still unclear when Darvaza will close for good, but all current evidence suggests the end is finally near for Turkmenistan’s Door to Hell.