Erta Ale and Denakil Depression.
Erta Ale is a shield volcano in the Afar region of East Africa. Located in the Danakil Depression (or Afar Depression) in the Afar Region of northeastern Ethiopia, Erta Ale is one of the driest, lowest and hottest places on earth.
Erta Ale is a remote and rarely visited volcano that is known currently to have an active lava lake in its summit crater. Known by the Afar as the “smoking mountain” and “the gateway to hell,” Erta Ale is a 2,011-foot-high constantly active basaltic shield volcano. It is one of only a handful of continuously active volcano in the world, and a member of an even more exclusive group: volcanos with lava lakes. While there are only five known volcanoes with lava lakes globally, Erta Ale often has two active lava lakes — making it a unique site.
Erta Ale was discovered in 1906, making it the longest-known lava lake. For a lava lake to exist, the surface of the lake and the magma chamber below must form a constant convecting system, or the entire thing will cool and solidify. Beneath the ground surrounding Erta Ale is an enormous pool of active magma. The lake goes through cycles and will cool, form a black layer on top, and then suddenly convert back into liquid lava. Occasionally, due to pressure, “fountains” of lava will form, spewing lava in 6- to 13-foot-high plumes.
Dallol is located in the Danakil Depression in North East Ethiopia. It is dubbed to be the most colorful place on Earth and the hottest place in the world. It is one of the most inhospitable regions of the world, but is nonetheless spectacular, full of eye catching colors, as in the sulphur springs. The Denakil is amazing for some of the most unique landforms and physically features seen on earth. Dallol, at 120 mbsl, has an old volcano which simmers beauty the surface.