Danakil Depression, Geological depression in Afar Region, Ethiopia.
This geological depression stretches 200 kilometers long and 50 kilometers wide, sitting partially 410 feet (125 meters) below sea level. The landscape encompasses salt lakes, lava lakes, active volcanoes and acidic springs whose mineral deposits create bright yellow, green and red colorations.
Paleoanthropologists discovered the Lucy fossil here in 1974, a 3.2 million year old Australopithecus afarensis specimen that established the region as a significant site for human evolution research. Tectonic activity at the junction of three continental plates has been reshaping this depression for millions of years.
Afar communities have extracted salt here for centuries, moving mineral blocks by camel caravan along established trade routes to regional markets. This traditional economy continues to shape the lives of nomadic populations in one of the continent's harshest inhabited regions.
Tours depart from Mekele between September and May when temperatures drop to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) rather than the extreme 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius) during summer months. Visitors require four-wheel drive vehicles, armed guides per regional regulations and must bring adequate water and sun protection.
The Gaet'ale Pond, which formed after a 2005 earthquake, contains water with 43 percent salinity, surpassing the Dead Sea. This extreme salinity makes it the most concentrated natural salt lake on Earth and excludes nearly all life forms.
Location: Afar Region
Elevation above the sea: -125 m
Part of: Afar Triangle
Address: Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
GPS coordinates: 14.24170,40.30000
Latest update: December 2, 2025 10:30
This collection presents geological formations created through millions of years of natural processes. From the striped sandstone walls of Antelope Canyon in Arizona to the basaltic columns of the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland and the calcium terraces of Pamukkale in Turkey, these sites demonstrate the work of wind, water, tectonic forces and volcanic activity. The collection includes diverse geological phenomena across all continents. The Tsingy de Bemaraha in Madagascar consists of sharp limestone pinnacles, while the Moeraki Boulders in New Zealand are large spherical concretions on the beach. The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia forms the world's largest salt flat, and Ha Long Bay in Vietnam displays thousands of karst islands rising from the sea. Many of these formations are accessible to visitors and offer insights into geological processes. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in China inspired landscapes in popular films, while the Grand Prismatic Spring in Wyoming derives its colors from thermophilic bacteria. From the Chocolate Hills in the Philippines to the volcanic Jeju Island in South Korea, this collection documents the diversity of Earth's history.
Satellite imagery has transformed how we view remote locations on Earth, offering perspectives on places that are often invisible or difficult to reach from ground level. This collection presents natural formations, artificial structures and historical sites from an aerial vantage point. From geological features like the circular Richat Structure in Mauritania's desert to ancient geoglyphs and modern engineering achievements, these images provide a distinct view of our planet's diversity. Locations documented include the geometric Nazca Lines in Peru, the pyramid structure of El Castillo in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula and the Badlands Guardian in Alberta, a natural rock formation that resembles a head wearing headphones when seen from above. The collection also features Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, an artificial archipelago shaped like a palm tree, the vivid blue potash evaporation ponds in Utah, the pink waters of Lake Hillier in Western Australia and the volcanic island of Surtsey off Iceland. Additional examples include the Atacama Giant in Chile, a prehistoric geoglyph, the heart shaped Galesnjak island off Croatia's coast and the ship graveyard of the former Aral Sea in Uzbekistan, which documents the ecological consequences of human intervention.
Ethiopia offers photographers a range of subjects from medieval architecture to geologically active zones. In the north, Lalibela features eleven churches carved from solid tuff rock during the 12th and 13th centuries, while Axum holds obelisks from the Aksumite Empire that flourished from the 1st to 10th centuries. The Gheralta region of Tigray contains dozens of churches built into cliff faces, accessible via steep trails.The landscape extends from the peaks of the Simien Mountains, rising above 15,000 feet (4,500 meters), to the Danakil Depression, one of the lowest and hottest places on Earth. Bale Mountains National Park supports Ethiopian wolves in afroalpine moorlands, while Awash National Park features acacia woodlands and hot springs. The walled city of Harar Jugol, with its 368 lanes and 82 mosques dating from the 16th century, displays Islamic architecture. The monasteries on Lake Tana islands hold manuscripts from the 14th to 18th centuries, and in Gondar, Fasil Ghebbi documents Ethiopian rule through its 17th and 18th century palaces and churches.
Erta Ale
81.2 km
Dallol
92 m
Abuna Yemata Guh
109.5 km
Debre Damo
109.9 km
Al Nejashi Mosque
86 km
Qohaito
117.2 km
Hawulti
105.9 km
Tigray Stadium
123.4 km
Wukro Chirkos
89.9 km
Cathedral of the Holy Saviour, Adigrat
90.1 km
Dalaffilla
57 km
Ale Bagu
89.3 km
Alu
54.1 km
Tat Ali
134.7 km
Era Quhila
63.2 km
Maryam Qorqor
107.4 km
Hiza'iti Wedi Cheber
127.5 km
Gereb Mihiz
138.3 km
Chichat
108.7 km
Belesat
127.9 km
Ma Alalta
136.5 km
Addi Abagiè
83.7 km
May Leiba
130.3 km
Dibdibo
131.5 km
Daniel Korkor
107.2 km
Afdera
120 km
Temple of Yeha
138.3 km
Abreha we Atsbeha
93.4 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes