Dallol Location: 14°14' N, 40°18' E Elevation: - 92 m Dallol is a volcanic explosion crater (or maar)  in the Danakil Depression, northeast of the  Erta Ale Range in Ethiopia. It has been  formed by the intrusion of basaltic magma in  Miocene salt deposits and subsequent  hydrothermal activity. Phreatic eruptions took  place here in 1926, forming Dallol Volcano,  numerous other eruption craters dot the salt  flats nearby. These craters are the lowest  known subaerial volcanic vents in the world,  at over 45 m below sea level. Dallol is  famous for its hot brine, and multicolored  white, pink, red, yellow, green, gray and black  salt deposits, hot springs and miniature  geysers. These bizarre structures form in a complex interaction of solution and recrystallization  processes driven by hydrothermal waters and rapid evaporation. Widespread are small,  temporary geysers which are forming cones of salt. The SW flank of Dallol mountain harbours  impressive salt canyons formed by erosion processes.The term Dallol was coined by the Afar  people and means dissolution or disintegration describing a landscape made up of green acid  ponds (pH-values less than 1) iron oxide, sulfur and salt desert plains. The area resembles the  hot springs areas of Yellowstone Park.  South of Dallol, the crust of the salt flat is cut into  rectangular slabs and transported up into the highlands a near endless procession of camel  caravans. These slabs are later sold in Mekele for processing into common salt.  click on pictures to enlarge HOME