Ethiopia: Danakil – Dallol Volcano Acid Terraces

The acidic terraces and hydrothermal pools in the heart of the Dallol crater are definitely the brightest and one of the most surreal features of Dallol, and most photographed. Compared to the last time I was here in 2014, the terraces are larger and more colorful. The pools and terraces are fed by hydrothermal pools that discharge highly toxic, hyper-acidic (pH <2), super-saline (10x saltier then sea water) liquids of surreal green/yellow/orange/red/brown colors. The colors are a function of the variable oxidation of iron and presence of sulfur, the water in the pools is chemically almost pure sulfuric acid. This place is one of the most incredible places on earth in every possible aspect!
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