Amazing Alien Landscape On Earth - Dallol Volcano

[Debby ♥Many Nations♥]

If you want to experience an alien landscape it is not necessary to travel to another planet.

In fact, there are places on Earth where the landscape is truly bizarre, almost extraterrestrial many would say.

Looking at this amazing scenery, one can easily ask - Are we still on Earth?

A fascinating, not-of-this-world resembling place is the Dallol volcano which located in the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia.

Image credit: http://www.photovolcanica.com

Here one can experience the highest average temperatures on the planet. A weather station recorded 34.4°C annual mean temperature.

During the day the temperature is above 40°C in shade. But of course, one should not forget there is no shade here!

Dallol Volcano is not a real volcano.

Here, in the thick salt layers has intruded basaltic magma.

As the groundwater descends deeper, it meets overheated rocks and turns into vapor.

When the pressure of vapor reaches critical level, the ground (here - salt) above this superheated vapor is blown off in spectacular explosion, leaving a crater - maar.

Bizarre green and yellow acid salt ponds and miniature geysers at Dallol volcano, Ethiopia. Image credit: Tom Pfeiffer

Small salt geyser at Dallol volcano, Danakil desert. Image credit: Tom Pfeiffer

Last time such explosion took place in 1926, some 1.5 km to the south-west from the main crater of Dallol Volcano. Now in the site of this explosion is located deep, 30 m wide, round pit, filled with orange brine.

The 1.5 by 3 km large crater of Dallol Volcano has formed by the collapse of salt layers. Multiple hot springs above the hot magma have washed out the salt layers, leaving voids, which at some moment have collapsed.

Will there be more explosions in future? Yes, it is most likely. An explosion can happen every second.

The area around the volcano is considered to be deserted because of the severe natural conditions, but people do live not very far from the volcano.

The region has been called the most colorful place on Earth and it certainly is a fitting description. @ MessageToEagle.com

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Geological Rift That Baffles Scientists Is Still Expanding