Extreme Conditions of the Dallol

DALLOL, ETHIOPIA � JANUARY 2008: Dallol is a field of phreatic craters in the barren salt plain to the northeast of the Erta Ale Range, in one of the lowest and hottest areas of the desolate Danakil Depression (also known as the Afar Depression), in Ethiopia. The Dallol craters are the Earth's lowest known subaerial volcanic vents. The most recent of these craters, Dallol, was formed during an eruption in 1926. Colourful hot brine springs and fumarolic deposits are found in the Dallol area. This is a desert with some areas that are more than 116m (328 feet) below sea level. This is one of the lowest points on earth not covered by water. There are hot yellow sulphur fields among the sparkling white salt beds. Temperatures can reach as high as 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius) in the sun. (Photo by Stephan Gladieu/Getty images)