【Strange】15 places in the world where strange phenomena occur

No. 13: Gates of Hell (Turkmenistan)

Turkmenistan’s “Gates of Hell” has been burning non-stop since 1971, and it shows no signs of slowing down. This massive 230-foot crater opened up when Soviet engineers were drilling for natural gas and the ground just gave way.

They lit it on fire to stop toxic gases from spreading, figuring it would burn out in a few years. Big mistake. The underground gas supply turned out to be way bigger than anyone expected. At night, these massive flames light up the desert like something straight out of a horror movie. Temperatures around the crater hit over 120°F, making it nearly impossible to get close.

Still, people from around the world come to see it. The government keeps talking about putting it out because they’re basically burning money, but nobody’s figured out how to do it yet.

No. 12: Eternal Flame Falls (USA)

Hidden behind a small waterfall in New York’s Shale Creek Preserve, there’s an 8-inch flame that’s been burning for decades. It’s called “Eternal Flame Falls,” and it’s exactly as cool as it sounds.

Natural gas—mostly methane—seeps through rock cracks and stays lit behind the falling water. Geologists are stumped because this type of rock shouldn’t be able to produce continuous gas like this.

Even weirder, the water and fire coexist without the water putting out the flames. Sometimes strong winds blow it out, but hikers just relight it with a lighter, and it keeps going. It’s like nature’s own backyard BBQ that never stops.