Dallol — Local services in Afar Region

Dallol is a cinder cone volcano in the Danakil Depression, northeast of the Erta Ale Range in Ethiopia. It has been formed by the intrusion of basaltic magma into Miocene salt deposits and subsequent hydrothermal activity.[1]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 subaerialvolcanic vents in the world, at 121m or more below sea level. Moreover, reaching it requires a day long drive through the desert, which is both expensive and exhaustingly uncomfortable. But it's worth the effort, because this area holds invaluable treasures for the avid photographer. Upon reaching the Danakil after a long drive, one is immediately struck by the vastness of this wasteland. apart of the odd tree and tribal village, there isn't much else around. This makes sense, since little could survive here, but the few humans that do are quite special. The primary means of interaction between the Afar region and the rest of Ethiopia (and the world) is the endless salt caravans, consisting mainly of camels and donkeys, loaded with heavy bricks of salt - the main natural resource in this area. The caravans are very photogenic, both for their sheer size (the most common response I get to my shots is "surely you've duplicated the camels in Photoshop!") and the landscape they...

Fantastic place; one of the most amazing place on planet; a reminder of how our planet was millions of years ago! According to the guide, the place is more similar to Mars! You get there after crossing a lake of melted salt and the contrast is awesome from the bright white of salt lake to the colourful yellow, green, gold, grey, white etc.. of Dallol make the place unique. The smell of sulfur boiling underground make the place out of this world. The drive to Dallol from Mekele takes a whole day & you get to sleep in open air gazing on a bright starred sky before crossing the salt lake to Dallol. On the way u get to meet caravans of donkeys & camels carrying tons of salt and to meet the valliant Afar people collecting and piling salt at 45 degrees heat. A...

Dallol is a cinder cone volcano in the Danakil Depression, northeast of the Erta Ale Range in Ethiopia. It has been formed by the intrusion of basaltic magma into Miocene salt deposits and subsequent hydrothermal activity.[1]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 subaerialvolcanic vents in the world, at 45 m (150 ft) or more below sea level. In October 2004 the shallow magma chamber beneath Dallol deflated and fed a magma intrusion southwards beneath the rift.[2] An phreatic eruption occurred in January...