Images Dated 31st October 2017

Hydrothermal field at Dallol volcano in the Danakil Depression

Hydrothermal field at Dallol volcano in the Danakil Depression. At 48 metres below sea level, Dallol is Earth's lowest land volcano. Its craters contain hot springs that boast a whole range of otherworldly colours - including neon yellow - thanks to the hot magma bubbling below the surface. This magma heats the groundwater that flows into the area from the nearby highlands, and as the heated groundwater moves up towards the surface, it dissolves salt, sulphur, potash and other minerals and deposits them in the Dallol craters. The supersaturated brine emerges through hot springs in the floor of the craters. As the brines evaporate in the hot arid climate, extensive salt formations are formed on the floor of the craters. These are coloured white, yellow, brown, orange and green by sulfur, dissolved iron, mud and the life activity of halophile algae. Ethiopia

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