This hot and alien landscape is located northeast of the Erta Ale Range in Ethiopia, on the border with Eritrea, and inside a geological formation called the Afar (Danakil) Depression. The region is the lowest place on earth at 130m (430ft) below sea level.

Dallol Volcano is a cinder cone maar filled with sulphur springs, potash and acid ponds and has been formed by the intrusion of basaltic magma into salt deposits and subsequent hydrothermal activity. Phreatic explosions occur when magma heats the ground or surface water – this took place in Danakil in 1926 forming the Dallol volcano.

Dallol is one of the most colourful landforms on Earth due to its unique geological conditions. After a drive through the white salt flats and a short walk up dark volcanic rock, you’re faced with this other-worldly luminescent pop of colour as you reach the top.

Feast your eyes on the steaming crater of greens and yellow, our guide Gashaw Trit warned us not to get too close, the ground can be unstable and hollow as the underground hot springs lay just below. These springs release chemical compounds like ferrous chloride and iron hydroxide that solidify when they come into contact with the atmosphere, painting the salt deposits and lakes in crazy shades of green, yellow and white.

As we moved around the area to the left, a big gust of pungent chlorine and sulphur gas came our way and sure does hit the back of your throat and your lungs – take a mask with you to make the experience easier! You just need to keep walking as it doesn’t all smell this bad.

https://www.wandersmiles.com/dallol-hot-alien-landscape-ethiopia/