Do you know where the Dallol volcano is located? This is one of the most mysterious and amazing places in Ethiopia, located in the northeast of the country, in the hot and deadly Danakil desert. The volcanic processes there are so strong that the air is filled with poisonous vapors, and the lakes are made of acid. It's hard to call this place comfortable - the average temperature in the desert reaches 34 degrees Celsius, and at the height of summer it exceeds 50.
Description
Dallol Volcano is located in the center of Danakil, in the Afar Valley. Not far from it is Lake Karum - a large s alt deposit, the thickness of which reaches two kilometers. Due to the unbearable heat of the day, nomads mine s alt there only at night.
Unlike most volcanoes, Dallol in Ethiopia does not rise above the surface of the earth, on the contrary, it is located below sea level by as much as 130 meters, and its vent - by 45 meters. The geological formation is an oval-shaped dome rising to a height of 41 meters. Because of this unusu althe location of the vent in ancient legends, Dallol was considered the gate to hell, which on the day of judgment should open and swallow our world. Despite all its unusualness, the craters of the volcano are active; since the time of ancient prophecies, it has erupted more than once. The last time this happened was almost a hundred years ago - in 1926.
Neighbourhood
The very name "dallol" in the local dialect means "dissolve". The surroundings of the volcano are so fantastic that they resemble descriptions of other planets. This is a truly unique landscape, the likes of which cannot be found in the world.
The terrain around the Dallol volcano is constantly changing, acid puddles appear and disappear and even entire lakes. Under the influence of magmatic gases and mineral s alts, the water in them acquires the most incredible colors: blue, red, purple, yellow and green. Boiling underground water splashes to the surface through hot springs. The s alt crystals contained in them harden in the air, creating bizarre figures, reaching several meters in height. Most of these s alt canyons are located in the southwest of the volcano.
Dangerous place
The crater itself is hidden under limestone deposits. At the same time, there is no volcanic activity on the eastern side of Dallol, there are no gases or faults. For scientists, this is another mystery: to this day, this place is practically not studied. Exhausting temperatures, hot air saturated with harmful fumes, and constant earthquakes make it impossible to stay there for a long time. Even the sweatprotruding from the heat on the face, due to acid fumes, it also begins to turn into acid.
There are practically no settlements near the Dallol volcano. The only exception is the settlement, where once lived workers engaged in the extraction of potash ore. Half a century ago, mining was suspended, and the town was deserted. Now only local nomadic Afars, who extract s alt, stop here. But a completely deserted area near a geological formation cannot be called. To this day, the nomadic Tribes tribe lives next to it.
Tours
For brave travelers who dared to go to the hot desert and take a photo of the Dallol volcano with their own hands, Ethiopian tour operators organize excursions. They include travel around the surrounding area. Tourists can ride through the desert on camels, meet nomads, visit the s alt lake and learn more about the s alt mining industry in Ethiopia. This tour also includes the services of an English-speaking guide and security guards who will take care not only of the safety of the group, but also of a suitable place to stay for the night.
Most tours start in the country's capital, Addis Ababa, followed by a flight to the city of Mekele, from where travelers set off already on off-road vehicles. Depending on the number of attractions visited, such a trip takes from nine to twelve days. For overnight stays, the tour group stays in small hotels.
For those who wish to go deep into Danakili,it is better to stock up on shoes with thick soles and closed clothing in order to protect yourself from heat and harmful gases as much as possible. Those who have been there agree on one thing: the unforgettable space view of the Dallol volcano is undoubtedly worth the effort.
