Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Derweze Turkmenistan's 'Door to Hell'

As directly pulled from Wikipedia:
"The Derweze area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971, geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas.  The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of about 70 meters (230 ft). To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to be burned off.  Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but the gas still burns almost 40 years later. Locals have dubbed the cavern "The Door to Hell.""


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derweze#The_.22Door_to_Hell.22_gas_deposit






Thursday, January 27, 2011

Fly Geyser, Nevada

Accidentally created in 1916 after drilling for an oil well, the Fly Geyser exists today after the natural geothermal spring found a weak-spot in this new mound and began to sprout, continuously building-up the dissolved minerals present today.  It is located at the Fly Ranch in Washoe County Nevada.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fly_Geyser

Also, Nevada means 'snow covered.'  So Sierra Nevada means 'snow covered mountains.'

Friday, January 7, 2011

Kowloon Walled City

From the 1940s through 1994, the Kowloon Walled City existed as a largely ungoverned organic community that sprung up in an enclave as a haven for outlaws, outcasts and 'untouchables.'  So dense was this area that former 'streets' were now dank alleys that had no sunlight penetrate due to the growth above.  It readily resembled a outpost oasis that was constrained due to some apocalyptic conditions and thrived inside as a last refuge for survival.




Surprisingly many interesting cultural adaptations occurred within.  According to a German documentary there was a large number of unlicensed dentists operating, because of the unregulated nature of the enclave.  An within this seemingly subterranean Hell, a British missionary named Jackie Pullinger operated a drug rehabilitation program under the eyes of the ruling narco Triads.  



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kowloon_Walled_City


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Pullinger