Salt, Please: Photo Diary of the Danakil Expedition Feb. 2008

Desert, salt and volcanoes: February 2008 tour photos by Tom Pfeiffer

Previous page - All - Next page

Jump to page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 All || Gallery Index

164 m a.s.l. The dirt road winds descending into the Danakil desert. At roughly -120 below sea level, it is one of the lowest land areas on earth. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

164 m a.s.l. The dirt road winds descending into the Danakil desert. At roughly -120 below sea level... [info]
(2156 Hits)

Only 100 m above sea level. A ghostly, tornado-like dust devil greets us on our way through fault-cut lava deserts into the Danakil depression. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Only 100 m above sea level. A ghostly, tornado-like dust devil greets us on our way through fault-cu... [info]
(3373 Hits)

The remnants of an eroded volcano in the desert (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(2861 Hits)

We "climb" the axis of the rift zone near Logia. Behind is the Danakil... (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(2919 Hits)

0 m a.s.l. Although not yet at its bottom, we are already in the Danakil desert, here in a part where wind has accumulated sand. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

0 m a.s.l. Although not yet at its bottom, we are already in the Danakil desert, here in a part wher... [info]
(2939 Hits)

Grande Said! Our (excellent!) 4x4 driver doesn't miss out the chance to get us a fresh cold beer at a snack bar in the middle of nowhere! (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Grande Said! Our (excellent!) 4x4 driver doesn't miss out the chance to get us a fresh cold beer at ... [info]
(1867 Hits)

$-80 m a.s.l. We have reached the flat bootom of the Danakil depression. A large, fresh-looking lava flow covers much of the area here. The extension and sinking of the earth's crust creates fractures through wich basalt is frequently erupted. Despite such eruptions and the deposition of sediments, the land is sinking. It's only a matter of (geologically) short time, before this land will be invaded by the sea and become ocean floor. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)$

-80 m a.s.l. We have reached the flat bootom of the Danakil depression. A large, fresh-looking lava ... [info]
(4341 Hits)

The goal of today is (almost reached!) - a large salt lake, Lake Afrera, at -120 m a.s.l., occupies the southern part of the Danakil. Salt is being quarried here in large salines at the shores of the lake. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

The goal of today is (almost reached!) - a large salt lake, Lake Afrera, at -120 m a.s.l., occupies ... [info]
(2075 Hits)

It's 6am, but we decided to join some workers in the salines. It's a tough job to harvest the salt from one of the salines, where the water has evaporated and left a thick crust of pure salt. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

It's 6am, but we decided to join some workers in the salines. It's a tough job to harvest the salt f... [info]
(3279 Hits)

A young worker from Afrera salt lake. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(3500 Hits)

Life (and living conditions) is simple. Precious water from wells is transported by donkeys and filled into the showers of our (rather simple) last hotel on the way to Erta Ale. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Life (and living conditions) is simple. Precious water from wells is transported by donkeys and fill... [info]
(2142 Hits)

Marco and 3 young boys writing their names. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(2150 Hits)

On the road again - well, there's no roads any longer, only tracks that change according to conditions. We are now heading for Erta Ale volcano, only 60km distant, but it takes about 5 hours 4x4 driving to get there! (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

On the road again - well, there's no roads any longer, only tracks that change according to conditio... [info]
(2106 Hits)

Lunch break. It looks like the area has recently been flooded. Remarkably, the stones didn't sink into the mud, but float on top of it, probably because of surface tension. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Lunch break. It looks like the area has recently been flooded. Remarkably, the stones didn't sink in... [info]
(2735 Hits)

Mud cracks. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(2006 Hits)

Mud cracks. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(5870 Hits)

Previous page - All - Next page

Jump to page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 All || Gallery Index

More on VolcanoDiscovery

Krakatau to Bali

Tour photos May 2016
A selection of photos taken during our Java photo tour by Uwe Ehlers.

Erta Ale

Erta Ale volcano photos
During our numerous expeditions to Erta Ale and Dallol, we have documented the active lava lake and its surroundings and changes over the years.

Quake-O-Meter

Check if seismic activity worldwide or in a specific area has increased or decreased!

Largest volcano

Do you know which is the biggest volcano in the world?

Volcano Tours

Tours to active volcanoes
Watching a volcanic eruption is one of the most impressive natural displays. We have a wide selection of tours to active volcanoes worldwide at different activity and difficulty levels.

Why is there advertising on this site?

Volcanoes & Earthquakes