Travelers and the Land of Death
Danakil depression, popularly known as “land of death”, is one of the most toured sites in Ethiopia. It is located in the northeastern part of Ethiopia and occupies an area of 124 miles by 31miles. They describe the area as a natural wonder because it is rich in incredible sites. Originally, it was once part of the Red Sea. Travelers love it.
What led to the formation of the depression?
However, due to plate tectonics, the area slowly drifted apart resulting in a geological depression. The molten rock material that erupted covered the site and due to extremely high temperatures, the water dried up. NASA assumes ocean water will recollect in the depression millions of years to come.
Many people say the scenery is exceptionally incredible.
Danakil Depression is a natural scenery that many find amazing. People of different kinds, scientists, tourists, and miners often visit the site. Especially from November to March, tourists usually flood the area. What makes the scenery incredible is because it is fascinatingly scary.
Hence wonderers find it impossible to control their curiosity. However, from June to August there are few tourists. Tsegaye, one of the tour guides, describes the scenery as exceptionally beautiful.
“Mixture of yellow, orange, red, blue, green due to the rain and seawater from the nearby coasts that seep through into Sulphur lakes and get heated up by the magma. As the salt from the sea reacts with the minerals in the magma, these dazzling colors begin to emerge,” he said. Making the scenery look like the scenes in a fictitious science movie.
What features are in the area?
The scenery either from an aerial view or close range is beautiful. The mountains, springs, and depression all provide a beautiful view. The sulfurous springs produce water in different shades of non-green and yellow. Especially as steam rises from the fissures within the rocks. Danakil is an area of high temperatures ranging from 34.4 degrees Celsius to 50.
The mountains in the region are rich in salt. Many a time, miners travel long distances in search of the mineral. According to them, salt is their white gold. Before the 20th Century, they traded their goods in exchange for salt.
Moreover, the mountains are active volcanic sites hence the name smoking mountain. The magma from the mountains contributes to the sulfurous springs. Small organisms cannot survive in the area due to the extreme temperatures, acidic conditions and high levels of Carbon dioxide. Such that in some occasions tour guides have uncovered dead insects and birds which succumb from drinking the acidic water or inhaling excess CO2.
Is it safe to tour Danakil depression?
Tsegaye says the depression is one of the most remote, hottest places on earth unlikely to sustain life. However, despite the conditions, numerous migrants travel to see the wonder. Besides, Tsegaye says tourists should dress in protective footwear during their visit to Danakil.
Especially when walking on the geothermal areas one should be careful. Since such areas are made of weak rock structures hence prone to accidents. Imagine what one will feel when exposed to a live hot spring, with a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius and a pH of 0.2.
Danakil is a lovely scenery which many tourists visit at their own risk. Nonetheless is wise to make such tours during suitable seasons.
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