Dallol (volcano)

View from Dallol on the salt flats

Dallol is one of the most extraordinary geothermal areas of the world. The area is located in the Danakil Depression in northeastern Ethiopia close to the border with Eritrea. In this hard to reach area has the highest average annual temperatures of the Earth have been registered. The last phreatic explosion of Dallol took place in 1926 and formed a 30 m -wide crater, since the activity is limited to a large number of hot salt water sources. The 4 km ² large volcanic area rises about 30 m from a salt level, which is 120 m below sea level. Hot groundwater dissolves during ascent through the 1000 m thick salt and anhydrite minerals that are deposited on the surface again. Here, most diverse forms, which are reminiscent of corals or Hornitos form. The loss products obtained by sulfur and various potassium salts their characteristic white, yellow and red colors. The outlet temperature of the sources is about 70 ° C, a pH value of less than 1 is evidence of extreme acidity. The volcanic gases dissolve in water, but the water evaporates due to the dry air and high temperature, also the air due to the gas itself is acidic. The so-called salt - canyons extend on the southwest flank of Dallol, formed by erosion processes, up to 40 m high pillar. The magma is about 3,000 to 4,000 feet below the surface.

The word means Dallol resolution in the Afar language.

Air table

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