Erta Ale volcano & Dallol (Ethiopia): Jan 2018 photos by Stefan Tommasini

Below you find a photo gallery with exceptional images captured by one of our very enthusiastic volcano adventurers, Stefan Tommassini (www.fotografie-mit-seele.de), during his travels to the Danakil desert with our Ethiopian volcanologist and expedition leader in January 2018. The photographs include aerial drone images of the colourful salt deposits, hydrothermal hot springs and acid ponds in Dallol as well as the lava lakes on both eruption sites on Erta Ale shield volcan; the summit caldera with the north and south craters and the flank eruption site which has been active since 20 January 2017. If you are interested in traveling to this exceptional part of our planet, check out our 14 days 'Desert, salt and volcanoes'expedition!

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Aerial view of salt deposits and a large acid pond near Assale salt lake and Dallol (c) [info]
(1033 visti)

Yellow acid water bubbling up from a large hydrothermal pond near Dallol and Assale salt lake (c) [info]
(277 visti)

Sun set over a large acid hydrothermal pond and salt deposits near Dallol and Assale salt lake (c) [info]
(646 visti)

Aerial view of part of the colourful Dallol hydrothermal mineralisations, hot springs and salt deposits (c)

Aerial view of part of the colourful Dallol hydrothermal mineralisations, hot springs and salt depos... [info]
(584 visti)

Yellow salt crusts with green acid ponds and small geysirs at Dallol hydrothermal area (c) [info]
(415 visti)

Mineralisations that form from the hydrothermal waters build up small salt cones around the hot springs (c)

Mineralisations that form from the hydrothermal waters build up small salt cones around the hot spri... [info]
(251 visti)

The alien yellow, green and brown landscape of the hydrothermal deposits and acid ponds at Dallol (c... [info]
(261 visti)

The interaction of heated groundwater with local rocks, salts and chemicals from magma at depth has created this unique and colourful landscape of bizarre salt deposits and acid ponds (c)

The interaction of heated groundwater with local rocks, salts and chemicals from magma at depth has ... [info]
(321 visti)

Yellow-white salt deposits at the edge of a green acid pond in Dallol (c) [info]
(435 visti)

The mineralisations that form from hot springs and acid ponds sometimes create these colourful salt terraces (c)

The mineralisations that form from hot springs and acid ponds sometimes create these colourful salt ... [info]
(200 visti)

Bizarre salt formation at Dallol hydrothermal area with yellow-green acid pond in the background (c) [info]
(216 visti)

Erosion has cut into the domed up salt layers at Dallol, making these natural canyons and pillars (c... [info]
(207 visti)

Evening sun putting a golden hue on the salt layers of the irregularly eroded salt layers at Dallol (c)

Evening sun putting a golden hue on the salt layers of the irregularly eroded salt layers at Dallol ... [info]
(183 visti)

Aerial view of Dallol's salt canyons in the evening sun (c) [info]
(194 visti)

Aerial view of the large lava lake that has formed at Erta Ale's fissure eruption site (c) [info]
(323 visti)

Cooled crusts gets consumed by actively boiling lava at the edge of the lake (Erta Ale fissure eruption) (c)

Cooled crusts gets consumed by actively boiling lava at the edge of the lake (Erta Ale fissure erupt... [info]
(239 visti)

Fresh red hot lava covers the thin black crust of the lava lake (Erta Ale fissure eruption) (c) [info]
(232 visti)

The lava lake's black crust is continuously renewed when liquid lava from below overflows and recycles it (Erta Ale fissure eruption) (c)

The lava lake's black crust is continuously renewed when liquid lava from below overflows and recycl... [info]
(557 visti)

The lava lake at the Erta Ale fissure eruption is more like pond where on one side lava flows in whilst at this location lava is flowing out and continuing its travels underground (c)

The lava lake at the Erta Ale fissure eruption is more like pond where on one side lava flows in whi... [info]
(235 visti)

View into the cavity at the edge of the lake where the liquid lava flows into (Erta Ale fissure eruption) (c)

View into the cavity at the edge of the lake where the liquid lava flows into (Erta Ale fissure erup... [info]
(212 visti)

Large pieces of crust break off and are dragged down with the lava that flows out of the lake at this end (Erta Ale fissure eruption) (c)

Large pieces of crust break off and are dragged down with the lava that flows out of the lake at thi... [info]
(202 visti)

One of our local Afar policemen who accompany us everywhere around Erta Ale for safety reasons (c) [info]
(318 visti)

Beautiful ropes texture of cooled pahoehoe lava flow at Erta Ale's fissure eruption site (c) [info]
(231 visti)

Fresher lava flows stand out in the landscape due to their silver hue and dark black crust (Erta Ale fissure eruption) (c)

Fresher lava flows stand out in the landscape due to their silver hue and dark black crust (Erta Ale... [info]
(219 visti)

View along one of the many cracks on Erta Ale's slopes which at one point opened up and erupted lava in a fissure type volcanic activity (c)

View along one of the many cracks on Erta Ale's slopes which at one point opened up and erupted lava... [info]
(207 visti)

Close up of part of an eruptive fissure on the slopes of Erta Ale shield volcano (c) [info]
(514 visti)

View across part of the new and still active lava fields on Erta Ale's flank eruption site (c) [info]
(221 visti)

Part of the large lava lake at Erta Ale's fissure eruption site (c) [info]
(315 visti)

Recently cooled black crust is overrun and consumed by red hot liquid lava that itself quickly cools and crusts over (Erta Ale fissure eruption site) (c)

Recently cooled black crust is overrun and consumed by red hot liquid lava that itself quickly cools... [info]
(251 visti)

Overview of the lava lake at Erta Ale's fissure eruption site (c) [info]
(203 visti)

Yellow sulphur deposits and actively degassing fumaroles on the edge of the north crater in Erta Ale's summit caldera (c)

Yellow sulphur deposits and actively degassing fumaroles on the edge of the north crater in Erta Ale... [info]
(180 visti)

View of the large collapse crater that formed in the north crater of Erta Ale's summit caldera after magma drained away in January 2017 (c)

View of the large collapse crater that formed in the north crater of Erta Ale's summit caldera after... [info]
(177 visti)

View towards the north crater in Erta Ale's summit caldera where before January 2017 there was a large hornito that since completely collapsed (c)

View towards the north crater in Erta Ale's summit caldera where before January 2017 there was a lar... [info]
(322 visti)

Close up of the edge of the active lava lake now deep down in the south crater of Erta Ale's summit caldera (c)

Close up of the edge of the active lava lake now deep down in the south crater of Erta Ale's summit ... [info]
(624 visti)

The famous lava lake in the south crater of Erta Ale's summit caldera is now 10s of meters below the rim after magma drained away and parts of the crater walls collapsed in January 2017 (c)

The famous lava lake in the south crater of Erta Ale's summit caldera is now 10s of meters below the... [info]
(186 visti)

Around the edge of the south crater there are a number of small vents from which volcanic gasses and a red glow escape (Erta Ale summit caldera) (c)

Around the edge of the south crater there are a number of small vents from which volcanic gasses and... [info]
(172 visti)

Some of the new vents around the south crater are forming small hornitos through lava spattering (Erta Ale summit caldera) (c)

Some of the new vents around the south crater are forming small hornitos through lava spattering (Er... [info]
(421 visti)

Lava spattering from small active vents along the edge of the partially collapsed south crater in Erta Ale's summit caldera (c)

Lava spattering from small active vents along the edge of the partially collapsed south crater in Er... [info]
(161 visti)

Close up of fresh piece of lava with iridescent colours and gas bubbles (c) [info]
(173 visti)

Older lava flows in Erta Ale's summit caldera have a dark brown colour and are partially coloured by amber-golden Pele's hair that collects into small cracks and depressions (c)

Older lava flows in Erta Ale's summit caldera have a dark brown colour and are partially coloured by... [info]
(154 visti)

Walking along the edge of the strongly degassing south pit in Erta Ale's summit caldera (c) [info]
(141 visti)

When degassing is temporarily less strong and the wind can carry away the gasses, the actively boiling lava lake at the bottom of the south crater is very spectacular (Erta Ale summit caldera) (c)

When degassing is temporarily less strong and the wind can carry away the gasses, the actively boili... [info]
(167 visti)

Sitting at the edge of the southern crater in Erta Ale's summit caldera, waiting for the gas to clear and to give us a glimpse of the active lava lake below (c)

Sitting at the edge of the southern crater in Erta Ale's summit caldera, waiting for the gas to clea... [info]
(193 visti)

Large explosions of gas bubbles in the active lava lake throw up spatter of red hot lava high above the lake's surface that is partially covered by volcanic gasses (Erta Ale south crater in the summit caldera) (c)

Large explosions of gas bubbles in the active lava lake throw up spatter of red hot lava high above ... [info]
(170 visti)

Night time red glow inside one of the small active vents around the south crater of Erta Ale's summit caldera (c)

Night time red glow inside one of the small active vents around the south crater of Erta Ale's summi... [info]
(411 visti)

Ethiopian military and Afar policement escort walking across the vast lava flows in the summit caldera of Erta Ale (c)

Ethiopian military and Afar policement escort walking across the vast lava flows in the summit calde... [info]
(183 visti)

The lava's red glow reflected on the inner walls of the south crater in Erta Ale's summit caldera (c... [info]
(142 visti)

Great experience to observe and photograph the lava lake in the south crater during nighttime! (Erta Ale summit caldera) (c)

Great experience to observe and photograph the lava lake in the south crater during nighttime! (Erta... [info]
(154 visti)

Dramatic deep red glow rising up above the edge of the south crater in Erta Ale's summit caldera (c) [info]
(226 visti)

Daytime view across the south crater which has increased dramatically its diameter due to partial collapses and the new lava lake which is now much deeper than prior to the magma drainage (Erta Ale summit caldera) (c)

Daytime view across the south crater which has increased dramatically its diameter due to partial co... [info]
(165 visti)

Aerial view of the central part of the Erta Ale's summit caldera with the north crater (left), south crater (right) and camp site on the caldera rim (centre below). Note the fresh black lava that spread all around the south crater and across the caldera floor in the lava lake overflowing event prior to the magma drainage and partially collapsing craters. (c)

Aerial view of the central part of the Erta Ale's summit caldera with the north crater (left), south... [info]
(228 visti)

Aerial view of the south crater in Erta Ale's summit caldera and the many active fumaroles and sulphur deposits around it (c)

Aerial view of the south crater in Erta Ale's summit caldera and the many active fumaroles and sulph... [info]
(212 visti)

Lava spattering up from one of the small active vents on the edge of the south crater (Erta Ale summit caldera) (c)

Lava spattering up from one of the small active vents on the edge of the south crater (Erta Ale summ... [info]
(179 visti)

Daytine view down into the south crater, with large portions of the inner crater walls that collapsed down (centre) and thick clouds of volcanic gasses obscuring the view of the active lava lake below (top centre and left) (Erta Ale summit caldera) (c)

Daytine view down into the south crater, with large portions of the inner crater walls that collapse... [info]
(168 visti)

Nighttime close up of the actively boiling lava lake in the south crater of Erta Ale's summit caldera (c)

Nighttime close up of the actively boiling lava lake in the south crater of Erta Ale's summit calder... [info]
(234 visti)

Gas rising up and exploding through the lava lake's surface creates lots of spattering at the edge of the lake (south crater inside Erta Ale's summit caldera) (c)

Gas rising up and exploding through the lava lake's surface creates lots of spattering at the edge o... [info]
(630 visti)

Nighttime view of the cracked zigzag pattern of the thin crust on top of the active lava lake inside the south crater of Erta Ale's summit caldera (c)

Nighttime view of the cracked zigzag pattern of the thin crust on top of the active lava lake inside... [info]
(155 visti)

Strong degassing from the lava lake often (partially) obscures the actively boiling lava lake at the bottom of the south crater in Erta Ale's summit caldera (c)

Strong degassing from the lava lake often (partially) obscures the actively boiling lava lake at the... [info]
(151 visti)

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Erta Ale volcano & Dallol (Ethiopia): Jan 2018 photos by Stefan Tommasini

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