The most severe 'Gate to Hell' on Earth

The hot environment of nearly 50 degrees Celsius combined with high salinity and acidity makes the Danakil Depression a living hell for most creatures.

Lakes filled with volcanic minerals cover the surface of the depression. Photo: Katja Tsvetkova — Lakes filled with volcanic minerals cover the surface of the depression. Photo: *Katja Tsvetkova*

The Danakil Depression in northern Ethiopia is a geological wonderland of hot springs, sulfur springs, acid lakes and steaming steam columns. The vibrant colors of the landscape may be visually striking, but they are also a reminder of continental rifting, according to IFL Science .

The Earth’s crust isn’t a uniform layer of soil across the planet. In places like the Danakil Depression, the effects of continental rifting are evident in the vibrant colors of the seasons. Tectonic plates have pulled apart, creating landscapes like the Danakil Alps and the Ethiopian plateau. The rugged terrain and scorching heat have earned the area the nickname “The Door to Hell,” but locals have mined salt here by hand for centuries. It’s a stratovolcano, made up of layers of lava and ash.

The most striking feature of the Danakil Depression is the Dallol Sulphur Springs. Located at the foot of the Dallol Volcano, the hard-packed salt flats are dotted with streams and craters of neon green, orange and yellow. This is the result of the unique topography, which allows the brine to mix with volcanic minerals including sulphur, iron and copper.

Despite the chlorine and sulfur-rich environment, researchers discovered in 2017 that life could thrive in the water at Dallol. They found evidence of bacteria living in water that could withstand heat, salinity, and acidity all at once.

“The environment is very harsh,” said Barbara Cavalazzi, a researcher at the University of Bologna in Italy who has been exploring Danakil since 2013. “On average, the temperature at noon can reach 48 degrees Celsius. On one occasion we measured 55 degrees Celsius.”

An Khang (According to IFL Science )

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