The Derweze [Turkmenistan village of about 350 inhabitants] area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971 geologists accidentally found an underground cavern filled with natural gas.[1] The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of about 50-100 meters. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn the gas.[2] Geologists had hoped the fire would go out in a few days but it has been burning ever since. Locals have named the cavern The Door to Hell. (Wikipedia)
Heh.
And all this time I thought it was the DMV.