# Danakil Depression

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Geological feature in East Africa

Map of the Danakil Depression. Panel A shows the [topography](/source/Topography) and the parts of the Depression situated below sea-level. Panel C show a [satellite image](/source/Satellite_imagery) showing the dark colours of the [volcanic rocks](/source/Volcanic_rock) in the south and the light colours of the [salt plain](/source/Salt_pan_(geology)) and [marine sediments](/source/Marine_sediment) in the north.

The **Danakil Depression** is a large valley of approximately 200 by 50 km (124 by 31 mi), across the north of the [Afar Region](/source/Afar_Region) of [Ethiopia](/source/Ethiopia) and [Eritrea](/source/Eritrea). It is about 125 m (410 ft) below sea level and is bordered to the west by the [Ethiopian Plateau](/source/Ethiopian_Highlands) and to the east by the [Danakil Alps](/source/Danakil_Alps), beyond which is the Red Sea.[1] It is the third lowest-lying location on the continent of Africa.

The Danakil Depression is a geological [depression](/source/Endorheic_basin) formed by [rifting](/source/Rift). It constitutes the northern part of the [Afar Triangle](/source/Afar_Triangle) or Afar Depression.[2][3]

## Geology

Landscape of the Danakil Depression. The bright white coloured rocks are [Pleistocene](/source/Pleistocene) [marine sediments](/source/Marine_sediment). The [Erta Ale range](/source/Erta_Ale_Range) is visible in the background.

Lake Afrera, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

The Danakil Depression is a large valley caused by the [extension](/source/Extensional_tectonics) between the [Nubian plate](/source/Nubian_plate) and the [Danakil (or Arrata) microplate](/source/Danakil_microplate) (on which lie the [Danakil Alps](/source/Danakil_Alps)).[4][5] The velocity between these two plates is approximately 18 mm/yr in the south of the Depression and 8 mm/yr in the north of it.[5] The Danakil Depression is thus a [rift](/source/Rift), more precisely the northern tip of the [Afar rift](/source/Afar_Triangle).[6]

The formation of the rift started approximately 11 million years ago (Ma) with the counterclockwise rotation of the Danakil microplate.[7][6][8] Since then, tectonic extension caused the thinning of the [crust](/source/Crust_(geology)) and the [subsidence](/source/Subsidence) of the [basin](/source/Structural_basin) where both [sediments](/source/Sediment) and [volcanic rocks](/source/Volcanic_rock) accumulated. In contrast to the neighbouring central Afar region which is closer to the Afar [hotspot](/source/Hotspot_(geology)), the Danakil Depression only experienced moderate volcanic activity during its first rifting phase.[6] However, this volcanic activity increased significantly since at least 0.6 Ma, forming the [Erta Ale volcanic range](/source/Erta_Ale_Range).[6] This volcanic activity was probably triggered by the thinning of the crust and the [adiabatic decompression](/source/Adiabatic_decompression) of the underlying [mantle](/source/Mantle_(geology)), producing large quantities of [magma](/source/Magma).[9]

The southern part of the depression is dominated by the Erta Ale range featuring multiple [shield](/source/Shield_volcano) and [stratovolcanoes](/source/Stratovolcano) such as the [Gada Ale](/source/Gada_Ale), [Alu](/source/Alu_(Ethiopia)), [Dalafilla](/source/Dalaffilla), Bora Ale, [Erta Ale](/source/Erta_Ale) and [Ale Bagu](/source/Ale_Bagu). These [volcanoes](/source/Volcano) mainly produced [basaltic](/source/Basalt) rocks.[10] The [petrology](/source/Petrology) and [geochemistry](/source/Geochemistry) of these rocks indicate an absence of [continental crust](/source/Continental_crust) under the volcanic range,[10][11][12][13][14] suggesting that the Nubian and Danakil plates are probably detached there. This indicates that the rift is at an advanced stage of evolution, close to continental breakup and [oceanisation](/source/Oceanisation). However, the Erta Ale range does not represent a normal [oceanic crust](/source/Oceanic_crust) yet, but rather a transitional crust.[14] In this part of the depression, most of the extension is accommodated by dike [intrusions](/source/Igneous_intrusion), and not by [faulting](/source/Faulting).[15]

The northern part of the Depression is dominated by [sedimentary rocks](/source/Sedimentary_rock). The extension is accommodated by tectonic faulting.[16][17] Volcanic activity is less significant than in the southern part of the depression, but two volcanoes can be found: Maraho and [Dallol](/source/Dallol_(hydrothermal_system)). The intrusion of [dikes](/source/Dike_(geology)) has also been measured.[18][19] Close to the western margin of the depression, ephemeral rivers bring coarse sediments, forming [alluvial fans](/source/Alluvial_fan) dominated by [conglomerates](/source/Conglomerate_(geology)). During the [Mid-](/source/Middle_Pleistocene) and [Late Pleistocene](/source/Late_Pleistocene), the basin was flooded at least four times by the [Red Sea](/source/Red_Sea) during [periods of high sea-level](/source/Interglacial).[20][21] The last flooding happened approximately 130,000 years ago.[20][21] These floods are testified by fossil [coral reefs](/source/Coral_reef)[20][21] and by thick (>500m) [evaporite](/source/Evaporite) deposits (mainly [halite](/source/Halite), i.e. salt) found in the central part of the basin.[22][23] The lower part of the evaporites, featuring halite and [potash minerals](/source/Potash), deposited directly by evaporating [seawater](/source/Seawater) coming from the Red Sea during the last flooding.[23] The upper part of the evaporites deposited in continental waters forming [salt lakes](/source/Salt_lake) and [salt pans](/source/Salt_pan_(geology)). These continental waters became [saline](/source/Saline_water) after dissolving older marine evaporites at the margins of the basin or at depth.[23] This process is still ongoing, in particular around [Lake Karum](/source/Lake_Karum).[24][23]

### Dallol

Landscape at Dallol, Afar Triangle, East Africa

Dallol is a unique volcano situated in the central part of the salt plain. Magmatic fluids interact at depth with the evaporites, dissolving them and causing their ascent to the surface, and forming a salt volcano.[24] The fluids escaping at the surface are extremely [acidic](/source/Acid), [salty](/source/Salinity) and hot. The [oxidation](/source/Oxidation) of dissolved [salts](/source/Salt_(chemistry)), the [complexation](/source/Complexation) of [iron](/source/Iron_sulfate) and [chlorine sulfates](/source/Sulfate_chloride), and [evaporation](/source/Evaporation) create complex coloured structures.[25] These extreme conditions are also studied by [biologists](/source/Biologist) looking for [extremophiles](/source/Extremophile), [organisms](/source/Organism) living in conditions usually fatal to life.[26] They found [microorganisms](/source/Microorganism) in most of Dallol's ponds, but not in the immediate proximity of the hot chimneys where the fluids reach the surface.[27][28]

### Hot springs

Around Dallol, several other [hydrothermal](/source/Hydrothermal) springs are present, such as [Gaet'Ale Pond](/source/Gaet'ale_Pond) (also called Yellow Lake).[29][25][30]

Gaet'ale Pond is a small [hypersaline lake](/source/Hypersaline_lake) located over a tectonic [hot spring](/source/Hot_spring) in the depression. With a salinity of 43%, the pond is the [saltiest water body on Earth](/source/List_of_bodies_of_water_by_salinity).[30] The pond was created in January 2005 following an earthquake, according to residents of Ahmed'ela village, which reactivated the hot spring.[31]

### IUGS geological heritage site

In recognition of it demonstrating "the ongoing birth of an ocean witnessed through tectonics and volcanism in an extreme evaporite arid environment", the [International Union of Geological Sciences](/source/International_Union_of_Geological_Sciences) (IUGS) included *The Danakil Rift depression and its volcanism* in its assemblage of 100 geological heritage sites around the world in a listing published in October 2022. The organisation defines a *geological heritage site* as "a key place with geological elements and/or processes of international scientific relevance, used as a reference, and/or with a substantial contribution to the development of geological sciences through history."[32]

## Features

The Danakil Depression is the hottest place on Earth in terms of year-round average temperatures. It is also one of the [lowest places on the planet](/source/List_of_places_on_land_with_elevations_below_sea_level) at 100 metres (330 ft) below sea level,[33] and without rain for most of the year.

It features several [endorheic](/source/Endorheic_lake) and saline lakes, such as [Lake Afdera](/source/Lake_Afrera), [Lake Karum](/source/Lake_Karum), and Lake Bakili that sit on volcano-tectonic depressions.[34]

		- The [crater](/source/Crater) of [Erta Ale](/source/Erta_Ale)

		- A [lava lake](/source/Lava_lake) in the [caldera](/source/Caldera) of Erta Ale

		- The [Dallol](/source/Dallol_(hydrothermal_system)) salt volcano

		- The salt pan

## See also

- [Danakil Desert](/source/Danakil_Desert)

## References

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## External links

- [Danakil Depression](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00377pl) – video clip from BBC Planet Earth

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for ***[Danakil Depression](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Danakil_Depression#Q14213070)***.

v t e World deserts Desert Desertification Polar desert Tropical desert List of deserts List of deserts by area Desert exploration Africa Algerian Bayuda Black Desert Blue Chalbi Danakil Djurab Eastern Ferlo Farafra (White) Kalahari Libyan Moçâmedes Namib Nubian Nyiri Plaine des Sables Richtersveld Sahara Tanezrouft Ténéré Western Asia Arabian Peninsula Ad-Dahna Nefud Arabian Judaean Negev Ramlat al-Sab'atayn Rub' al Khali Syrian Wahiba Sands Central Asia Aral Karakum Aralkum Barsuki Betpak-Dala Dasht-e Naomid Karakum Kyzylkum Moiynkum Ryn Saryesik-Atyrau Sarykum Taukum Ustyurt East Asia Badain Jaran Gobi Gurbantünggüt Hami Lop Kumtag Ordos Kubuqi Mu Us Qaidam Taklamakan Tengger South Asia Cholistan Indus Valley Katpana Kharan Ladakh Thal Thar Iranian plateau Kavir Khash Leili Lut Margo Naomid Polond Registan Southeast Asia La Paz Europe Bardenas Reales Cabo de Gata Monegros Oleshky Tabernas Deliblato North America Alvord Amargosa Baja California Black Rock Carcross Carson Channeled scablands Chihuahuan Colorado Escalante Forty Mile Gran Desierto de Altar Great Basin Great Salt Lake Great Sandy Jornada del Muerto Kaʻū Lechuguilla Mojave North American Arctic Owyhee Painted Desert Red Desert Sevier Smoke Creek Sonoran Tonopah Desert Tule (Arizona) Tule (Nevada) Yuha Yuma Oceania Australia Gibson Great Sandy Great Victoria Little Sandy Nullarbor Plain Painted Pedirka Simpson Strzelecki Sturt Stony Tanami Tirari New Zealand Rangipo South America Atacama La Guajira Los Médanos de Coro Monte Patagonian Sechura Tatacoa Polar regions Antarctic Antarctica Meyer Desert Arctic North American Arctic Greenland Russian Arctic Project Category Commons

[14°14′30″N 40°18′00″E / 14.2417°N 40.3°E / 14.2417; 40.3](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Danakil_Depression&params=14.2417_N_40.3_E_source:kolossus-eowiki)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Danakil Depression](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danakil_Depression) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danakil_Depression?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.