Danakil Depression in Ethiopia

Danakil Depression in Ethiopia

There are few places on earth that are as hot and as low as the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia. From a geographic standpoint, it is part of the African Rift that extends from Malawi and Tanganyika to the Red Sea and the Dead Sea. The region is a part of Afar, which has previously been ravaged by separatist violence.

On a regular basis, temperatures reach 50°C (122°F) in this extreme desert that is located below sea level. Additionally, it is home to the largest, open pit of magma in the world inside a volcano. The Danakil Depression is one of the most inhospitable places on earth, but people manage to live there despite all of this. There are cones, shields, lava, geysers, and salt pans in the depression because the earth’s crust is thin here.

This desert is home to the nomadic Afar, whose main industry is mining, transporting, and selling salt or love. The Danakil Depression and wider desert lie along the border between Eritrea and Djibouti. In Afar society, clans are divided into territories, and the desert is divided into territories. Their language is part of the Cushtic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family.

It is the trade of salt that provides the majority of Afar’s income. Their culture is remarkable in every aspect. It is best to visit the Danakil Depression between November and March, when temperatures drop to an average of 25°C. At the moment, we are offering combined trips in the Horn of Africa, including the Danakil Depression, at affordable prices. Click here to find out more.

What is the Danakil Depression?

African and Asian tectonic plates drifted together to form the Danakil Depression. A geological depression called the Danakil Depression (or Afar Depression) was created as the plates drifted apart at 1-2 cm per year. Three tectonic plates meet at the Danakil Depression. 

Djibouti, Eritrea, and Ethiopia’s Afar region are all part of the Afar Depression. It contains some of the world’s most extraterrestrial landscapes and sits more than 100 metres below sea level in the northern part of the depression. 

Danakil holds answers to some of biology’s most profound questions beyond its fascinating geology. The remains of Lucy, an early ancestor of modern humans dating back 3.2 million years, were found in the Danakil Depression in 1974. Lucy is now on display at the National Museum in Addis Ababa. As scientists investigate the origins of life on Earth and the possibility of early-stage life on Mars, the acidic springs of the Dallol Crater have attracted scientists looking for extremophile microbes. 

In case you are planning to visit the Danakil Depression, here are three highlights that you

definitely should not miss out on.

Dallol

Dallol is a volcanic cone located about 20km north of Hamedela in the Danakil. There are several hot springs here that discharge brine and acidic liquid. There are also salt cones produced by small, temporary geysers. It is also the hottest place on earth, located at the bottom of the hills.

Afar people call the place Dallol, which means dissolution. There are actually salt blocks in this area that are hacked out of the ground by the Afar people. This is a place where travelers will likely see camel caravans loading salt.

Irta’ale Volcano

The Irta’ale Volcano, or Erta Ale, is an active shield volcano. Volcanoes are almost exclusively composed of lava flows. A continuous eruption has been taking place at Erta Ale since 1967. It is the only lava lake on earth to be located in the volcano’s southerly crater.

Approximately 15 km of road leads to the volcano, which takes about three to four hours to climb. The hike is usually conducted after dinner, during evening tours. The climb itself is not too steep, but the darkness and heat make it more challenging. Camels can be ridden, and tourists should carry a torch when walking. There will be a cooler temperature at the summit.

Lake Afdera

There are 100 square kilometers of hypersaline Lake Afrera or Lake Adfera. Hypersaline lakes have high concentrations of sodium chloride or other salts, making them more saline than oceans. As compared to Dallol and Erta Ale, the lake is less frequented. It is generally included in tours that start in Addis, however. Its green waters are used to extract salt, and visitors can swim in the nearby springs.