Yanar Dag
Encyclopedia
Yanar Dag is a visually stunning natural gas
fire which blazes continuously on a hillside on the Absheron Peninsula on the Caspian Sea
near Baku
, the capital of Azerbaijan
, which itself is known as the “land of fire.” Flames jet out into the air 10 feet (3 m) from a thin, porous sandstone layer. However a visual comparison of the photos of Yanar Dag compared to images of "Mud volcanoes" will show the difference between this seep and the "sedimentary volcanoes" or "gas – oil volcanoes" concealed below land and sea in the Caspian region and which Azerbaijan has the largest concentration globally, though others exist in Turkey, Turkmenistan and elsewhere.
Yanar Dag is also known by other names such as "pilpila", "bozdagh", "ahtarma" and "gaynarja." Unlike Mud Volcanoes, the Yanar Dag flame burns fairly steadily, as it is not a periodic eruption, but a steady seep of gas from the subsurface. It is also claimed that the Yanar Dag flame was only noted when accidentally lit by a shepherd in the 1950's. As noted in the photos, there is no seepage of mud or liquid from the seep, which distinguishes it from the nearby mud volcanoes of Lokbatan or Gobustan.
formations and rise to a height of 10 feet (3 m) (different figures are mentioned in other references) at the base of a 30 feet (9.1 m)-wide scarp below a hillside. Yanar Dag is described by the Geological Survey of Azerbaijan as "Intensive flames, to 1 metres (3.3 ft) high, develop for 15 metres (49.2 ft) along the base of a 2–4 m (6.6–13.1 ) high and 200 metres (656.2 ft) long tectonic scarp". The surface flames result from the steady gas emissions from craters, vents (gryphons or salses) or surrounding soils and intermittent blow-outs and eruptions.
Even on the surface of streams near Yanar Dag, fire can be ignited artificially with a lighted match. These streams, which otherwise appear calm, are known as Yanar Bulaq – “burning springs”. There are several such springs in the vicinity of the Vilascay River, which the local people use to take a curative bath for their ailments.
Alexander Dumas, during one of his visits to the area, described a similar fire he saw in the region inside one of the Zoroastrian fire temples built around it. Only a handful of fire mountains exist today in the world, and most are located in Azerbaijan. Due to the large concentration of natural gas
under the Absheron Peninsula, natural flames burned there throughout antiquity and were reported by historical writers such as Marco Polo
.
The closest city to Yanar Dag is Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, which has a good network of roads, railway lines
and ports. The Heydar Aliyev International Airport
is the nearest airport, which is 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) away from Baku (one km off the Baku-Mardakan road). Baku International Marine Trade Port
in the Bay of Baku
is the nearest port. Most mud volcanoes are located off the Baku‐Shamakha road, about 40 kilometres (24.9 mi) away from the city.
The reasoning offered for the Yanar Dag fires is the result of hydrocarbon gases emanating from below the earth’s surface. Apart from Yanar Dag, the most famous site of such a fire is the Zoroastrian Fire Temple near Baku, off the Greater Caucasus
, which is a religious site known as ateshgahs, meaning temples of fire. It has also been inferred that such fires could be the cause for “thermal metamorphism”.
Like Yanar Dag, the Ateshgah is also a seep through porous zones, and not a mud volcano, such as those found at Gobustan or Lokbatan.
According to the scientific study carried out by scientists and geologist of the Geological Survey of Azerbaijan, from four samples taken from the Yanar Dag, the maximum flux was recorded at the upper side of the fault scarp from where the flames emanate. The value of microseepage recorded was 103 mg•m22•d21 at 30 metres (98.4 ft) from the fire, on the upper part of the study area. It has been inferred that the total degassing area is clearly larger than the measured area, and it is very likely that the microseepage is pervasive along the fault zone. This fault scarp is also inferred as a part of the huge Balakhan-Fatmai structure on the Absheron Peninsula.
, which first appeared in this region over 2,000 years ago. This created a cult of fire worshippers in Azerbaijan before the Islamic rule came into effect.
Yanar Dag continues to inspire artists; in recent years through a Finnish
opera and a French Canadian
stage play.
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
fire which blazes continuously on a hillside on the Absheron Peninsula on the Caspian Sea
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...
near Baku
Baku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
, the capital of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
, which itself is known as the “land of fire.” Flames jet out into the air 10 feet (3 m) from a thin, porous sandstone layer. However a visual comparison of the photos of Yanar Dag compared to images of "Mud volcanoes" will show the difference between this seep and the "sedimentary volcanoes" or "gas – oil volcanoes" concealed below land and sea in the Caspian region and which Azerbaijan has the largest concentration globally, though others exist in Turkey, Turkmenistan and elsewhere.
Yanar Dag is also known by other names such as "pilpila", "bozdagh", "ahtarma" and "gaynarja." Unlike Mud Volcanoes, the Yanar Dag flame burns fairly steadily, as it is not a periodic eruption, but a steady seep of gas from the subsurface. It is also claimed that the Yanar Dag flame was only noted when accidentally lit by a shepherd in the 1950's. As noted in the photos, there is no seepage of mud or liquid from the seep, which distinguishes it from the nearby mud volcanoes of Lokbatan or Gobustan.
Geography
The Yanar Dag fire is never extinguished. Around this open fire place, the atmosphere is filled with the smell of gas. The flames emanate from vents in sandstoneSandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
formations and rise to a height of 10 feet (3 m) (different figures are mentioned in other references) at the base of a 30 feet (9.1 m)-wide scarp below a hillside. Yanar Dag is described by the Geological Survey of Azerbaijan as "Intensive flames, to 1 metres (3.3 ft) high, develop for 15 metres (49.2 ft) along the base of a 2–4 m (6.6–13.1 ) high and 200 metres (656.2 ft) long tectonic scarp". The surface flames result from the steady gas emissions from craters, vents (gryphons or salses) or surrounding soils and intermittent blow-outs and eruptions.
Even on the surface of streams near Yanar Dag, fire can be ignited artificially with a lighted match. These streams, which otherwise appear calm, are known as Yanar Bulaq – “burning springs”. There are several such springs in the vicinity of the Vilascay River, which the local people use to take a curative bath for their ailments.
Alexander Dumas, during one of his visits to the area, described a similar fire he saw in the region inside one of the Zoroastrian fire temples built around it. Only a handful of fire mountains exist today in the world, and most are located in Azerbaijan. Due to the large concentration of natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
under the Absheron Peninsula, natural flames burned there throughout antiquity and were reported by historical writers such as Marco Polo
Marco Polo
Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant traveler from the Venetian Republic whose travels are recorded in Il Milione, a book which did much to introduce Europeans to Central Asia and China. He learned about trading whilst his father and uncle, Niccolò and Maffeo, travelled through Asia and apparently...
.
The closest city to Yanar Dag is Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, which has a good network of roads, railway lines
Azerbaijan State Railway
"Azerbaijan Railways" Closed Joint-Stock Company is the national state-owned rail transport operator in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The , gauge network is electrified at 3 kV DC...
and ports. The Heydar Aliyev International Airport
Heydar Aliyev International Airport
Heydar Aliyev International Airport is the international airport in Azerbaijan located northeast of the capital Baku. The airport is the home of Azerbaijan Airlines, the national flag carrier...
is the nearest airport, which is 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) away from Baku (one km off the Baku-Mardakan road). Baku International Marine Trade Port
Baku International Marine Trade Port
Baku International Marine Trade Port is a sea port located in the Bay of Baku, on the coast of city of Baku, Azerbaijan. The main entrance faces the Neftchiler Avenue.-History:...
in the Bay of Baku
Bay of Baku
Bay of Baku is a natural harbour of the Baku port and local yacht club, on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula in Azerbaijan. It has an area of 50 km² and a coastline of 20 km. The bay is bordered by Sultan Cape in the east, Shikh Cape on the south-west and the islands of Qum,...
is the nearest port. Most mud volcanoes are located off the Baku‐Shamakha road, about 40 kilometres (24.9 mi) away from the city.
Causative factors
Greater Caucasus
Greater Caucasus , sometimes translated as "Caucasus Major", "Big Caucasus" or "Large Caucasus") is the major mountain range of the Caucasus Mountains....
, which is a religious site known as ateshgahs, meaning temples of fire. It has also been inferred that such fires could be the cause for “thermal metamorphism”.
Like Yanar Dag, the Ateshgah is also a seep through porous zones, and not a mud volcano, such as those found at Gobustan or Lokbatan.
According to the scientific study carried out by scientists and geologist of the Geological Survey of Azerbaijan, from four samples taken from the Yanar Dag, the maximum flux was recorded at the upper side of the fault scarp from where the flames emanate. The value of microseepage recorded was 103 mg•m22•d21 at 30 metres (98.4 ft) from the fire, on the upper part of the study area. It has been inferred that the total degassing area is clearly larger than the measured area, and it is very likely that the microseepage is pervasive along the fault zone. This fault scarp is also inferred as a part of the huge Balakhan-Fatmai structure on the Absheron Peninsula.
In popular culture
The naturally occurring fire burns in colourful flames most impressively at dusk, when both tourists and locals can view it from nearby teashops. The numerous links to fire in the folklore and icons of Azerbaijan are attributed to a connection to the ancient Iranian religion of ZoroastrianismZoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of prophet Zoroaster and was formerly among the world's largest religions. It was probably founded some time before the 6th century BCE in Greater Iran.In Zoroastrianism, the Creator Ahura Mazda is all good, and no evil...
, which first appeared in this region over 2,000 years ago. This created a cult of fire worshippers in Azerbaijan before the Islamic rule came into effect.
Yanar Dag continues to inspire artists; in recent years through a Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
opera and a French Canadian
French Canadian
French Canadian or Francophone Canadian, , generally refers to the descendents of French colonists who arrived in New France in the 17th and 18th centuries...
stage play.
See also
- Zoroastrianism in AzerbaijanZoroastrianism in AzerbaijanZoroastrianism in Azerbaijan goes back to the first millennium BC or earlier. The religion was the predominant religion of Greater Iran before the conversion...
- Ramana (settlement)Ramana (settlement)Ramana also spelled Ramany, Romana , is an urban-type settlement and municipality in Azerbaijan, within the Sabunchu raion of Baku. Population : 8,800....
- Khinalug
- Gobustan
- Fire Temple of BakuFire Temple of BakuThe Baku Ateshgah or "Fire Temple" is a castle-like ancient Hindu religious structure in Surakhani, a suburb of greater Baku, Azerbaijan. "Atash" is the Persian word for fire....
- Derweze