Geologic Setting of the Danakil Depression

The Danakil Depression is a rift valley that parallels the Red Sea in northern Ethiopia. It is a minor structure related to the rift between Africa and the Arabian peninsula. As the rift opens the floor of the Danakil Depression subsides. After millions of years of subsidence the deepest part of the depression is about 410 feet below sea level. It is one of the lowest points on Earth.

Several times during the formation of the Denakil Depression, water has overtopped the divide between the Denakil Basin and the Red Sea flooding the basin with seawater. Thick evaporite sequences were deposited in the basin as the seawater evaporated in the hot dry climate. Some of the evaporite deposits were formed by evaporating run-off water and evaporating hydrothermal brines.

The Dallol area is one of the hottest areas on Earth. The average daily maximum temperature is 106 degrees Fahrenheit and the annual mean temperature is 94 degrees Fahrenheit. During the rainy season large portions of the Danakil depression can be covered with runoff water.

Volcanic Activity in the Danakil Depression

Much of the floor of the Danakil Depression is covered by salt flats. Other areas are covered by basalt flows, shield volcanoes and cinder cones. Several craters up to a mile across can be seen on the salt flats. These are thought to be maars formed by phreatic eruptions.

The most recent eruption occurred in 1926 when a body of magma ascended towards Earth’s surface in the Danakil Depression near the boundary of northern Ethiopia and Eritrea. The rising magma body penetrated the salt on its way to the surface and a phreatic explosion formed a small maar about 100 feet across at the eruption site.

Hot Springs and the Dallol Landscape

Dallol has some of the most colorful landscapes on Earth. The hot magma below heats groundwater flowing in from the surrounding highlands. This hot water moves up towards the surface and through the evaporite deposits, dissolving salt, potash and other soluble minerals.

The supersaturated brine emerges through hot springs in the floor of the craters. As the brines evaporate in the hot arid climate extensive salt formations are formed on the floor of the craters. These are colored white, yellow, brown, orange and green by sulfur, dissolved iron, mud and the life activity of halophile algae.

The actions of the hot springs, the deposition of salt, and sediments washed in by run-off have modified the geometry of the craters. Dallol craters are dangerous places to visit because their surface can be covered by a crust of salt with pools of hot acid water just inches below. Toxic gases are sometimes released from craters.

In the past decade Dallol and Erta Ale, a volcanic area in the southeastern part of the Danakil Depression, have been frequently visited by tourists. These excursions can be risky because of the severe climate, the remote location and repeated attacks on tourists. Armed guards accompany many of the tour groups.

Contributor: Hobart King

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