Have you ever wondered what the Dallol Volcano in Ethiopia is all about and the many great things it has? Dallol is one of the most unique places in the northeast of the Erta Ale Range in Ethiopia.
Although people do not live there for a long period of time, it was however used in the 1960s for other commercial activities, ranging from mining to the production of salt and potash.
In Dallol, you will find most of the most beautiful landscapes on earth as well as great mineral patterns. Dallol was coined by the Afar region, it has very subtle areas that look somewhat like the hot springs areas.
Photo by Artush from Unlimphotos
1. About the Dallol Volcano
This is one of the hottest places in the crust of east Africa, it is mostly found where tectonic plates are connected or linked up and these are often found underwater.
Volcanoes are located more in the remote part of the northern depression in Ethiopia, ii is also the lowest known sub-aerial volcanic in the world and the most special of all.
This unique place gives visitors who come around a glimpse of what is possibly going to look like on another planet even while you are still on planet Earth.
It was first formed by the intrusion of basaltic magma then into the Miocene salt deposits and future geothermal activity. More so, the Phreatic eruption took place in this very place in 1962, which went on to form the Dallol Volcano.
The activities of the hot springs and the settling of salt and sediments washed in by draining of water have helped modify the geometry of the craters.
Dallol caters are not a good place for one to visit because it is likely that their surfaces are covered by a crust of salt with large pools of hot acidic water. Most times, these craters release toxic gases which are very dangerous.
It is most times believed that Dallol located on the counterpart of the Danakil depression is caused by a vibrant basaltic volcano that is located under the layer of salt.
Most of the volcanic activity happens as a result of how much the earth has absorbed the layer of salt.
It will interest you to know that the place where this unique place is located actually releases chemical compounds.
These compounds include ferrous chloride and iron hydroxide within the springs. Over time, they harden some components and further paint the future salt deposits and lakes some kind of greenish-white color.
2. Formation of the Volcano
There are three major places where the volcanoes are formed, It starts with the hot spots, to the different plate boundaries such as rifts and the mid-ocean ridges, and then the convergent plate boundaries which include the subduction zones.
The history of the magmas for hot spots is generally known by most people. The magma comes from the melting within the upper mantle, from a depth that is not more than 100km.
The reason behind the melting is most certain that it can be deeper than that, but there hasn’t really been proof to tell how deep the hotspot is.
For the second place where formation happens, two tectonic plates move apart and the magma that has been generated in the upper part of the mantle flows up to fill in the space.
You can safely say that these magmas are somewhat deeper than those of the hotspot magmas. The most common example of this type of volcanism is the system of mid-ocean ridges.
Some of these examples are the Range province in the southwestern US, the East African Rift, the Basin, and the West Antarctic Rift.
The most important place where Volcanism forms are at the convergent margins i.e subduction zones. This is where an oceanic plate goes under another oceanic plate or maybe a continental plate.
As the plates are pushed deeper and deeper, they will start to give out volatiles that most times in the form of water and these go upwards into the mantle that is under the lower plate.
When these volatiles are added to this lower mantle, it will help bring down the melting point of the mantle so that magma can be generated.
However, part of the magma might also be generated by the downsized plate that can start melting only if it gets into the hotter interior.
3. Why is Dallol Ethiopia Very Toxic?
Photo by Artush from Unlimphotos
The Dallol is a rift valley that is aligned with the Red sea, near the border that is between Ethiopia and Eritrea. However, it is not really a major structure as it is related to the rift between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
The Dallol is a rift valley that is aligned with the Red sea, near the border that is between Ethiopia and Eritrea. However, it is not really a major structure as it is related to the rift between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
Interestingly, as the rift opens up, the floor of the Danakil depression reduces. After a million years of reduction, the deepest side of the depression is about 410 feet below sea level. It is however the lowest part of the Earth.
Most times, when the Danakil depression is formed, water overtops between the Danakil Basin and the red sea and oftentimes floods the basin with seawater.
Also, very thick evaporite sequences of both gypsum and halite were put into the basin as the seawater evaporated in a very hot dry climate.
Interestingly, some parts of the evaporite deposits were actually made by evaporating hydrothermal brines.
It will also interest you to know that the Dallol area is one of the hottest areas on the Earth which over time makes it very toxic for humans to live in.
The average temperature of this place on a daily basis is 106 degrees Fahrenheit and the yearly temperature is 94 degrees Fahrenheit. Whenever it rains, large parts of the Danakil can mostly be covered with runoff water.
4. Dallol Microbial Ecology
Getting to know about Dallol microbial ecology will help us understand what surrounds the environment and what is particular about what surrounds it.
The geology of the Dallol region, including its formations, volcanic activity, and seismicity, has been the subject of extensive research during the past 20 years.
Studies on the variety of life in Dallol, however, have just recently been ascertained. It was once thought that Dallol’s environment was inhospitable to life.
Although their regional distribution and overall abundance are rather low, researchers found out that using next-generation sequencing and biomarker analysis reveals that microbial life with a great population is there.
Electron microscopy revealed various abiotic biomorphs in Dallol water samples in addition to the microbial life that still gets to survive in Dallol. Mineral structures known as “biomorphs” mimic cells but are neither alive nor created by living things there.
The ones found in Dallol were primarily made of silica, while it was also possible to find biomorphs that were rich in magnesium, calcium, and sulfur.
Besides biomorphs, silica-encrusted cells were also seen. Belilla et al. advised that future investigations should utilize a range of approaches before concluding the presence of life among the Dallol population because biomorphs exist in Dallol.
5. Dallol Volcano Facts
Photo by Artush from Unlimphotos
1. Cider Cone Volcano
Dallol has a cinder cone volcano that is located in the Danakil depression, its special geology shows it lacks any of the archetypal volcanic looks.
Fortunately, this place has a combination of green, red, and yellow spread across hundreds of hot acidic springs and a large number of salt deposits.
2. Hydrothermal Activity
The kaleidoscopic landscape is done by the hydrothermal activity that is below the Dallol carter. Oftentimes, when the groundwater diffuses across the many highlands.
It is further heated by the magma that is below Dallol and it is taken throw the crater, helping to dissolve salts and more minerals while still in the process. Also, these minerals oxidize to come up with beautiful hot springs.
3. Dynamic Area
Dallol is a very dynamic area, with fresh springs and salt mounds appearing every day as a result of the ongoing hydrothermal activity under the volcano.
This technique results in very beautiful flooring, which must be expertly traversed by local guides who travel to the area every week.
4. Salt Layers
In other places, the salt layers are only a few inches deep, and beneath them, hot, acidic springs are supersaturated with salt. You must always adhere to the instructions of the local guides, and sturdy footwear is a necessity.
5. Geological Processes
Dallol’s untamed nature is the consequence of ongoing geological processes, making it an incredibly dynamic place where fresh springs and salt formations continually appear.
Although they resemble the vibrant springs of Yellowstone National Park in the USA, Dallol’s hues come from inorganic geology rather than biological processes.
6. Polyextremophile Microbes
The high level of heat in the Dallol, mixed with the intense concentrations of salts, potash, and other minerals in the springs makes this place a site for polyextremophile microbes.
This may over time hold clues as to how started on Earth, and how life might be going on other planets like Mars and the rest.
6. How Hot Does it Get in Dallol Ethiopia?
Photo by Artush from Unlimphotos
The Dallol volcano temperature is extremely hot, especially in the dallol acid lake. This place has been proven to be the hottest place year in and year out on planet earth.
It continues to hold a very high temperature for its inhabitant with an average yearly temperature of 34.6 °C (94.3 °F) between 1960 and 1966.
In addition to this, the annual average high temperature is 41.2 °C (105.4 °F) and in the hottest of months, it increases high to like 46.7 °C (116.1 °F). Over the years, the highest temperature ever recorded is 49 °C (121 °F).
The climate of the downlands of Dallol lake can be most times extremely dry when there is an annual rainfall as it will help reduce a little bit of hotness but not entirely take it away. This will mean that inhabitants might slightly seek to survive.
With the way the climate in Dallol is, it has made it one of the most remote areas on Earth where people are hardly seen because survival there is very difficult. There is no actual road in this place as Carmel is seen as the only means of transportation.
Even with these challenges, the amount of salt produced in Dallol has added a lot of value to this place because it has attracted a number of extractive firms throughout the 20th century and still counting.
However, in the early 90s, came out from the crater, and it is gradually being filled with Italian and American mining operations, even in the 1960s.
Unfortunately, these towns are all abandoned today but there are still some salt merchants who still travel to Dallol to collect minerals and store them at Carmel back to Berhale or Mekele where it is transported to the Ethiopian highlands and down to Sudan.
7. What Makes Dallol Unique?
It is interesting to know that most living beings in the world especially microorganisms can easily adapt to the harshest environment on Earth.
However, there are such places that don’t follow the law of seasons. A such places are a place in the Ethiopia desert that can only be accessible by Carmel.
But there are some things that make it very unique. It is actually the hottest place on Earth as mentioned in this article, whose landscape looks as scenic as the red planet.
Let’s take a look at some things that makes this place unique.
7.1. The Right Place to Visit
For travelers who love experiencing journeys by land as well as unearthly landscape and seeing sites that resemble NASA footage, then Dallol, Ethiopia is the right place.
7.2. Camel Caravan
A camel caravan is actually made to carry some amount of salts in Dallol Ethiopia that has been molded by the hand and stored on its back.
7.3. Salt Formation
In other forms salt, Sulphur, and mineral are used and this is mostly seen near Dallol in northern Ethiopia.
7.4. A Centuries-Old Tale
Over the years, merchants have traveled in and out of this place with caravans of camels to take salts from the vast desert basin.
Also, the mineral is also extracted and put in a form into a slap, afterward, it is loaded on the camels being taken to across the desert so that it can be sold to other countries.
7.5. Home for Most People
Dallol, Ethiopia is very hot and it is also a remote place that is not frequently explored but with this, it is inhabited by the Afar people.
It is for people who don’t live in a place for a long time but only stay for a specific period and thereafter leave for another country. They mostly stay in a hut with small livestock to sustain them.
7.6. Colorful Places
This particular place is a zone of earthquakes, salt canyons, geysers, and volcanoes, a planetary field that altogether make it so beautiful to behold.
7.7. Highest Recording of Average Temperature
In the 1960s, American mining companies conducted a geological survey at this place that shows a maximum temperature of 46 degrees on a daily basis.
With this, it became the place that has the highest recording average temperature among any inhabited place on Earth.
7.8. No Difference Between Mars and Dallol
For everyone who has wanted to take a trip to Mars but cannot afford it, you can always take a trip to Dallol to enjoy a beautiful adventure.
8. Is It Possible to Visit Dallol, Ethiopia?
If you have been asking this question, then you should know that it is very possible to travel to Dallol.
Though, as you have read different sections of this article, you should know that it can be very tedious and demanding to travel to this place. But if you happen to travel there, you can always hire a camel to guide you around.
Although, there are some challenges you might face in fulfilling this reality. Since Ethiopia has a poor infrastructure, getting a camel that will guide you around Dallol will be very difficult.
Finding a good shelter will be something close to impossibility. More so, any camel that you will get will be one that is used for commercial purposes.
Hence, getting one can be really difficult because merchant needs to store salts and minerals to sell across the desert.
9. How to Take a Tour in Danakil Depression
The best decision you can take if you haven’t been to Ethiopia before is to ensure that you take a tour around in order to see some beautiful colors around.
Most travelers who go to this place don’t go independently but rather as a tour with some group of people in other to make it more fun and exciting.
As you take on this tour, you will see great attractions as a result of some great infrastructures and so on. Also, many companies also choose this place for their staff as part of a monthly or yearly excursion.
Amongst other good things, visiting other places in the Danakil depression region will be the highlight of your tour.
You can also engage in a hike up to the crater of Erta Ale, it is a volcano that is home to one of the world’s consistent lava lakes.
10. In the End
Regardless of how you can go into this place, you should ensure that you stay with the one who is gilding you throughout the tour just so you don’t miss your way.
It is also very hot there, so, ensure you take a lot of liquid with you. It is not insane to see one can die in a climate like this one.
The blue and green liquid you will see around the place isn’t water but sulfuric acid. Ensure you don’t drink it or even try to step in it.
Last Updated on by Himani Rawat
