A world-famous explorer became the first person to go down to 'Hell's Gate', a fire pit that has burned wildly for 40 years in Turkmenistan.

Close-up of the expedition 'hell gate' flaming wildfire in Turkmenistan

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The explorer George Kourounis went down to explore the fire pit that had been burning for 40 years in Turkmenistan.(Source: dailymail.co.uk)

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Kourounis in protective gear.(Source: dailymail.co.uk)

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The soil samples taken by Kourounis showed the existence of bacteria at the mouth of 'Hell Gate.' (Source: dailymail.co.uk)

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This crater has been burning for 40 years.(Source: dailymail.co.uk)

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At night, fire from the crater illuminates an area.(Source: dailymail.co.uk)

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The crater is about 70m in diameter, located 260km from Ashgabat.(Source: dailymail.co.uk)

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This is one of the most abundant gas reserves in the world.(Source: dailymail.co.uk)

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Kourounis is very proud because he is the first person to explore this hell gate.(Source: dailymail.co.uk)