Erta Ale Volcano, Ethiopia. Fire Lake Erta Ale Lava Lake
One of the most inaccessible volcanoes in the world is Erta Ale. The Great African Rift, 6,000 kilometers long, is located in northern Ethiopia. Deep in the tectonic basin, the earth's crust, under enormous pressure, is torn into three plates, which move away from each other, dividing Africa. Afar Basin (Afar Basin) is located in the active part of the rift, which arose due to volcanic activity.
Features of the Erta Ale volcano
Erta Ale, a mystical volcano located in the Danakil Depression. The Danakil Depression, a piece of land heated by magma, is the most unpredictable geological zone on the planet. The Afar Desert is considered the most inhospitable and hottest on the planet. This desert has always scared off explorers, including because of the cruel customs of the Afar tribes.
Erta Ale is the most inaccessible volcano given its remoteness, temperature changes and hostile environment around. At the bottom of a huge caldera there is a unique lava lake called Erta Ale. There are concentric faults around the lake, constant tremors collapse entire layers along the edges of the crater.
A lava lake is the result of a confluence of many factors; it is a huge accumulation of magma fed from a deep source with its own flow. The hot magma comes out, cools and sinks again, convection occurs. In order for a lava lake to exist for years, it is necessary that the heat of the hot stream feeding the lake exactly compensates for the loss of heat from the surface stream, which then goes back to depth. This mixing of matter is a very fragile and unstable balance. As soon as this balance is disrupted, the lake cools down; for example, in 2004 it froze for 20 months.
A lava lake is just a moment in the life of a volcano, Erta Ale emerged from the depths of the sea and gradually formed about 4 million years ago. The first evidence of the presence of a lava lake in this place dates back to 1890, then no one saw it, but red flashes in the sky clearly indicated the presence of such a phenomenon. The first person to see Erta Ale with his own eyes was Garun Taziev in 1960. The oval caldera is 1800 meters long and 750 meters wide. The volcano has two craters - southern and northern.
A caldera is a huge volcanic crater that requires a very strong eruption that will empty part of the magma reservoir or the entire reservoir. Then, when the magma pocket is emptied, the magma no longer supports the roof of the reservoir and the volcano itself collapses inward, forming a caldera. The caldera is often the same size as the magma reservoir. Over the years, lava filled the caldera to the brim, and it flowed down the southern and northern sides of the crater.
Erta Ale, mystical mountain
Erta Ale - means smoking mountain, Afar legend says that you should not approach its peak because the spirits of shepherds on winged horses fly around it and do not let anyone near it.
A stream of hot, light magma rises and flows across the surface, cools down, becomes heavier, and again sinks to depth, where it dissolves in the magma. The lake is fed from a deep source - a magma reservoir, and below it is a source that feeds the rift. The surface of the lake is cooling, but it is still hot and soft, and under the pressure of fresh, constantly rising magma, it folds.
At the other end of the caldera, the Erta Ale volcano, the southern crater is located, there is active fumarole activity. In the depths of the crater, ornithos smoke; they are formed from clots of lava that are layered on top of each other, creating small conical structures. This lake was active until 1987, bubbling just a few meters from the crater ridge, and then it froze for many years. In 2004, lava suddenly appeared in just four days, the whole sky was ablaze with a glow, it was visible 80 kilometers from the volcano.
In the northern and southern craters, there was a time during two years from 1972 to 1974 when both lava lakes overflowed at the same time for two years. Lava filled the caldera to the brim, and then began to flow down the slopes of the volcano on the southern and northern sides.
On the Erta Ale volcano there are goddesses of fire, strength and creation - these are very thin threads of hot ash stretched by the wind, stretching they take the form of long and thin hair. The gases escaping from the volcano consist mainly of steam, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, methane and a rare gas such as radon.
A lava lake is the top of a magma column that has come to the surface - a kind of window into the bowels of the earth. This lake is permanently connected to a magma chamber located at a depth of 2 kilometers. The subject of research on lava lakes is extensive; for example, by installing microphones as close as possible to the lake, you can measure the pressure of gas bubbles emerging from the magma chamber and bursting on the surface. This way we can conclude about the depth of the volcanic vent, and sometimes about its diameter. Also, using a telemeter, you can accurately determine the level of the lake. Regular fluctuations of the lake are 2 - 3 meters, they are repeated every 2 - 4 hours. Aerial photography allows you to see regular changes in the relief of both craters, landslides, dips, swelling reaching tens of centimeters and even meters.
The activity of the Ethiopian volcano Erta Ale awakened an intense surge of magma and the overflow of one of the lava lakes. The phenomenon lasted until the collapse of the flank eruption, until January 21, reports The Daily Mail. A similar thing was observed in February 2010. Then the level of one lake rose by 30 meters (10 floors), which led to the lake overflowing and scorching lava droplets spreading into the atmosphere.
Scientists explain the event that happened this year as follows: in the area of lava lakes (which are more than one century old), in the Afar Valley, tectonic plates shifted, as a result of which many underground volcanoes were “opened.” And on January 21, 2017, about 7 km from the top of the volcano, new cracks opened, from which burning magma erupted to the surface. It should be noted that since 1906 the lakes have been continuously seething and spraying hot rock into the surrounding areas.
In northeastern Ethiopia, in the remote Afar region, is the Erta Ale volcano ( "Smoking Mountain") - most active volcano and one of only five known to have a lava lake. A unique and only volcano in the world that has two lava lakes at once. The shape of the volcano is basaltic, shield; height - 613 m; mountain system- East African rift valley. Last eruption fixed date 2012
Every year, courageously overcoming all difficulties dangerous journey, about 1,000 tourists and researchers reach the volcano’s crater. It is quite difficult to approach the center of the volcano due to the high air temperature - about 50 ° C and acidic vapors. But the most amazing thing is that to get to the lava lakes in the crater of the volcano, you need to walk about 13 km.
May 28, 2014Hot Ethiopia has many natural attractions. Interestingly, they are completely opposite in their appearance. Picturesque Lake Tana, which is a real breath of life among hot deserts, national parks, savannas and many kilometers of desert sands, amazing volcanoes. Erta Ale Volcano is a landmark of Ethiopia, which is as famous throughout the world as it is fantastic.
Ancient volcano in Ethiopia
“Smoking Mountain” is how the name of this hot “lake” is translated from the local dialect. Erta Ale is located below sea level in the “Afar Triangle”, where there is constant volcanic activity.
The volcano's caldera measures 1.6 x 0.7 km. By origin it is basalt shield volcano. Since 1967, the restless formation has periodically disturbed the environment with new eruptions of lava.
Lava lake in the Erta Ale crater
In the northeast of the country, in the hot Afar region, there is a famous lake, in the crater of which a hot lake splashes, in which instead of water there is viscous boiling lava. There are only five similar volcanoes in the world. Erta Ale “distinguished himself” here too. It is the only one in which there are two boiling lakes at once!
From a bird's eye view, the boiling water looks very beautiful. Red-orange fiery stripes are visible on its surface, the pattern of which is constantly changing. At times, lava overflows the bowl of the lake of fire and flows out in powerful streams.
In 2007, a flow of hot lava formed a new pattern. February 2010 was the starting point when the lava level began to rise rapidly. 30 meters - and in November of the same year, hot drops rose into the air with pops and explosions.
Erta Ale Research
One of the unique wonders of nature attracts daredevils who are not afraid high temperatures and risk to life. Researchers began studying lava lakes in depth in 1971. The expedition, led by Harun Taziev, for the first time carried out a thorough analysis of the lava and the state of the volcano.
The gases coming to the surface were heated to 1220C. The power of thermal radiation reached 30 kW per 1 sq. meter. The temperature in the molten mass was incredible: about +600C on the surface of the volcanic crust, and at a depth of 60-70 cm it reached +900C!
Mysterious and scorched by the hot sun, it hides many surprises. The unusual Erta Ale volcano is a natural attraction that is both dangerous and attractive at the same time.
Lava lakes of Erta Ale volcano photo
Description
Erta Ale (Ertale) is one of the most remote in the Afar region of Ethiopia and part of the East African Rift. It is a large volcanic shield with a typical cratered caldera summit.
Description
Shield volcanoes are considered to be those from which basaltic lava flows repeatedly. They are characterized by gentle slopes; at the top there is a crater that looks like a depression. This is exactly what the Erta Ale volcano is like.
The name “Erta Ale” translates as “smoking mountain”. This place is considered one of the driest and hottest on earth.
Lava lakes Erta Ale
The top of the caldera is unique due to the long-lasting lava lakes that are located in the crater of the Erta Ale volcano. One of them periodically disappears. Studies of the surface temperature of the lake indicate that the lava flow is approximately 510-580 kg/s. Fresh lava flows on the slopes of the volcano indicate that the lakes periodically overflow, and this is very dangerous for tourists.
For a lava lake to exist, its surface and the underlying magma chamber must form a single convection system, otherwise the lava will cool and harden. There are only 5 known volcanoes with lava lakes in the whole world, and since the Erta Ale volcano has 2 of them, this place is considered doubly unique.
Erta Ale eruption
Under the ground surrounding the volcano there is a huge pool of active magma. From above, the lake cools down and becomes covered with a crust, which periodically falls into the lava and forms fountains reaching several meters in height.
The Erta Ale volcano itself has erupted multiple times: in 1873, 1903, 1940, 1960, 1967, 2005 and 2007. During the penultimate eruption, many livestock died, and in 2007, two people went missing and were presumed dead during an evacuation.
Tourism on Erta Ale
Despite the harsh conditions, risk of eruption and extreme heat, the Erta Ale volcano has recently become popular tourist destination. Until 2002, it could only be seen from a helicopter. Now it is allowed to approach the crater itself and pitch tents on the volcano in order to observe this phenomenon at night. Tourists are expected to use common sense.
In 2012 there was unpleasant incident. A group of tourists were ambushed by militants on the edge of the Erta Ale crater. Five European tourists were killed and 4 more people were kidnapped. Since then everything tourist groups accompanied by armed guards.
How to get there?
Closest to the Erta Ale volcano locality- the city of Mekele. Local tour operators offer 3-5 day 4WD jeep tours to the volcano and an 8-day camel trek. It should be borne in mind that the area is inhabited by Afar tribes that are not the friendliest to tourists.
Night. My legs ache and the rain is lashing the tent. The wind seeps through the cracks under the awning and blows through the light tropical tent, forcing us to press closer and closer to each other. One can’t help but think: what are we doing here? But the rain subsides, and, emerging from under the wet hem of the tent, we take a couple of steps towards the edge of the volcano’s crater. A gust of wind blows away the steam coming from the crater, and we no longer remember either the wet tent or the chill. Even our feet no longer hurt, but want to jump with excitement, but we can’t - there is fragile pumice under our shoes, and a few hundred meters below us an orange-red lake of lava is boiling. We had already donated a tripod to the volcano, fortunately, without a camera - it was blown away by a gust of wind when it was left on the edge for just a second. Let's consider this a ritual sacrifice.
Like a giant kaleidoscope, the oval of the lake is constantly changing. In the black crust of slag on its surface, bright scarlet cracks open, like lightning splitting the night sky. Fountains of lava spurting from cracks push slabs of slag towards the edges of the crater, where they melt and sink, only to rise again to the surface of this giant boiling cauldron. In minutes, tens, or even hundreds of millions of years of the planet’s history flash before us: the movement of black plates on the “surface” of the lake is a miniature copy of the movement of tectonic plates on the surface of the Earth.
We have been dreaming about climbing Nyiragongo for over two years. After visiting the lava lake at the top of the Erta Ale volcano in Ethiopia, we became fascinated by volcanoes. Since then we've been able to visit Krakatau and a couple of other active fire mountains in Indonesia, as well as the notorious Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland. But only lava lakes allow you to truly get closer to the seething depths of the earth and feel the hidden earth's crust the power of our planet.
Watch RIA Novosti's interactive report on the most common diseases on vacation. By pressing the player buttons, you will learn how to get insurance and what medications to take on vacation.Lava lakes - cauldrons of bubbling molten basalt - appear and disappear periodically in volcanoes around the world, but only a few are known to be permanent. In addition, all of the five existing on this moment lava lakes are very difficult to access. One is actually in Antarctica, in the crater of Mount Erebus. Try it, get there! Another - recently reappeared in Halemaumau Crater Hawaiian volcano Kilauea is closed to visitors for security reasons: apparently, the Americans are playing it safe. There are also lava lakes in the craters of Marum and Benbow volcanoes on Ambrym Island in Vanuatu, but getting there is also not easy, and because weather conditions they are not always visible. And finally, two lava lakes are located in Africa. The lake in the Erta-Ale volcano, which we have already developed, can only be reached during an expensive multi-day jeep expedition through one of the hottest and most unsuitable deserts in the world. The other, in the crater of the Nyiragongo volcano, is located just a dozen kilometers from the million-plus city of Goma, and can be easily reached in just a day. But - and with lava lakes there is always a but - it is located on the territory of the Congo, and this imposes its own characteristics on the visit.
Goma is located on the shores of Lake Kivu, right on the border with Rwanda. This former upscale Belgian resort has been in the news in recent decades, not in the best light, either in connection with armed groups hiding in the Congo after the Rwandan genocide, or in connection with the volcanic eruption in 2002, which wiped out half the city, or in apocalyptic forecasts of a limnological catastrophe, caused by the release of huge amount carbon dioxide and methane dissolved in the depths of Kivu.
If you are worried “about our tourists in the Congo,” do not worry - the largest contingent of peacekeepers in the world is deployed in the Congo - about 20 thousand. Of these, about a quarter are located in the province of Nord-Kivu, and several thousand are located directly in Goma. Goma is therefore a center of calm, at least compared to the chaos occurring in other parts of the former Zaire.
Military conflicts in the area have long subsided, but for several years the volcano remained closed to visitors. The Virunga Park Authority was forced to restrict access to some parts of the park, including the volcano, due to charcoal burns. Those living near the Gazprom office should be reminded that food in Africa is mostly cooked on coals, and as a result, deforestation is big business. For several years, armed groups of charcoal burners fought with the rangers of the national park, until the “forest brothers” were finally pacified. Since March 2010, the park has been reopened to tourists.
At the border we were met by a guide named Emmanuel (a pygmy, although he himself denies this). Having given him dollars for visas, we stood waiting on a bare piece of land between Rwanda and Congo, not daring to take out our cameras and photograph the photogenic African women who, with amazing dexterity, rushed from border to border, carrying huge bowls of watermelons or cabbages on their heads. Emmanuel soon returned with a letter from the head of immigration himself, and just half an hour later, after our names, ages and places of employment had been manually recorded in three places, yellow fever vaccination certificates had been scrutinized and passports had been stamped, we were freed from the bureaucratic shackles .
A car with equipment was waiting for us on the other side of the barrier. A year ago, when we first visited the city on foot, burdened with backpacks, Goma seemed to us an ominous post-apocalyptic hole. But now, looking at it from the window of the jeep, Goma was not much different from another big African city. Picking up tickets at the central office national park and a cook with provisions at the watchtowers of the airport, partially flooded by the lava flow of the 2002 eruption, we rushed to the volcano.
At the foot we were met by rangers with AK-47s, each of which had several additional magazines with cartridges attached with duct tape. According to the guest book, ascents occur several times a week. The first part of the climb leads through a tropical forest, the trees of which, those that survived the charcoal burns, seem to be embraced by frozen lava, which, surprisingly, did not burn the tree, but simply decided to envelop its base. Orchids nod overhead. The Gaboon viper, one of the continent's deadliest snakes, lurks in the bushes, but we notice it and avoid it. On the passes, sharp porous stones dig into tired buttocks - this is reminiscent of the lava of the 2002 eruption, when at an altitude of 2800 meters a crack opened in the volcano, through which a lake of fire flowed out, but the lava did not reach the city, but stopped here. Lava from another fissure, which opened just a few kilometers from the airport, leveled half of Goma and stopped only after reaching Lake Kivu. Steam is pouring out of a crack at an altitude of 2800 meters - this, as the guide explained, is rainwater that has seeped into the hot rocks.
At an altitude of 3000 meters the landscape changes dramatically - we are suddenly surrounded by a forest of giant lobelias. At this height they stand like quaint trees, but the higher up the slope, the smaller and smaller they become, resembling cabbage plantings rather than trees.
One more steep climb and we reach the rim of the crater. It's not dark yet. The walls of the crater go down in terraces, marking the previous levels of the lava lake. It seethes several hundred meters below us. In the light of day, the lake looks almost calm, but as darkness falls, the volcano’s activity increases, and it begins to resemble a huge boiling cauldron of tomato soup. We set up camp and try our cook's cooking.
Climbing Nyiragongo, seeing the lava lake and descending took less than a day and cost about half a thousand dollars per person, that is, about the same amount as visiting other famous attractions in the region. We tasted these delights earlier - and flew on balloons over the endless expanses of the Serengeti, and looked into the eyes of mountain gorillas in Rwanda, and visited other lava lakes... But, standing on the edge of the Nyiragongo crater, holding hands tightly, as if holding each other from the alluring kaleidoscope of the deadly lake, we do not for a second we remembered the effort, money, kilometers or time that we had to sacrifice in order to see for ourselves, with our own eyes, what our planet is capable of.