Top of Erta Ale Volcano at dawn

Through that smoke is a bubbling lava lake; one of only seven permanent lava lakes in the world. I've now been to two of the seven and saw no lava lake at either due to steam and gases.

The Danakil Depression: The most inhospitable place on Earth. I quite liked it.

November 14th 2018
Erta Ale was to be the highlight. I’d previously been to one of the other seven “permanent” lava lakes – Volcan Masaya in Nicaragua – but didn’t see any lava due to excessive smoke, steam and gases. The documentaries I’d seen of Erta Ale made me think this one was more guaranteed as you can get up close and watch the miniaturised and sped up plate tectonics on the surface of the bubb ... read more

Africa » Ethiopia » Afar Region » Danakil Depression

Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule, with the exception of the 1936-41 Italian occupation during World War II. In 1974 a military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile SELASSIE (wh... ... read more

Joined	February 3rd 2007	Trips	0
Last Login	February 26th 2024	Followers	17
Status	BLOGGER	Follows	0
Blogs	137	Guestbook	195
Photos	2,894	Forum Posts	4