Life in the hottest land in the world

Danakil depression is the hottest place on earth in terms of year-round average temperature, where people have simple nomadic life, despite the harsh conditions of the climate.

Picture 1 of Life in the hottest land in the world
Concave Danakil (Danakil Depression) in the Danakil Desert in Ethiopia, Africa, is one of the hottest, driest and lowest places on earth.Located in the Afar region of northeastern Ethiopia, near the Eritrea border, the climate conditions here can only be described by harsh words.

Picture 2 of Life in the hottest land in the world
In the Danakil depression, the sun burned the ground which was cracking because of dryness, dry air and dust as if it wanted to drain all the moisture from the mouth and eyes.But despite these things, people still live here.Afar people call this place their homeland.In the picture is a dawn moment in Afar village, with salt lakes and volcanoes in the distance.

Picture 3 of Life in the hottest land in the world
According to BBC, this depression is the "candidate" for the hottest place on earth, at least in terms of year-round average temperature.It also only has a rainfall of 100-200 mm per year and is one of the lowest places on the planet, 125 m below sea level.

Picture 4 of Life in the hottest land in the world
Lake lava in the volcano Erta Ale, one of the 6 lava lakes that exist on earth.In addition to the climatic characteristics, the geological activity of this area also makes it an alien land.

Picture 5 of Life in the hottest land in the world
Volcanoes with bubbly lava lakes, colorful hydrothermal fields or giant salt pans are a prominent feature that makes the scene look like another planet.Salt mines, hot springs and small geysers in the Dallol hydroponic field create an eye-catching scenery.

Picture 6 of Life in the hottest land in the world
Danakil is the northern part of the Afar Triangle, formed from the point of connecting the three Afar, also known as the Y-line between three tectonic plates.In the picture is the rough surface of a cool basalt lava stream, just before a volcano.

Picture 7 of Life in the hottest land in the world
Here, tectonic plates shift with three fissures at a rate of 1-2 cm / year.One day for millions of years, tectonic plates will move so quickly that the Red Sea saltwater will overflow, form a new ocean and submerge this strange landscape forever.At that time, the Danakil depression would be the birthplace of a new ocean.

Picture 8 of Life in the hottest land in the world
Many ancient human fossils have been discovered here.Many paleontologists think this may be the place where humans evolved for the first time.Therefore, the concave area is also called the "cradle of humanity".

Picture 9 of Life in the hottest land in the world
Groundwater, heated by molten rock, brings dissolved salt to the surface.The heat then dries the moisture and leaves layers of rich sediment.

Picture 10 of Life in the hottest land in the world
This area is also where scientists study the development of life on other planets.Hot springs in the Danakil depression are inhabited by extreme bacteria (living in harsh conditions).This is a special concern of biologists, because they can help explain the formation and development of extraterrestrial life.

Picture 11 of Life in the hottest land in the world
The journey to explore exotic lands begins with hours of driving on dusty and bumpy dirt roads from the town of Mekele, then through Ethiopia's highlands to the desert.

Picture 12 of Life in the hottest land in the world
Salt mines were formed when floodwater from the Red Sea overflowed the Danakil region and then evaporated under the heat of the desert.For people here, salt is like money.They often take salt from big salt fields and put on camel backs or donkeys to bring to market.Each trip sometimes lasts a week, but only with a small loaf of bread and a bottle of water.

Picture 13 of Life in the hottest land in the world
Afar people who are nomadic and nomadic in their huts easily move and breed cattle, goats, donkeys or camels.Salt mining is the main source of income for many people.

Picture 14 of Life in the hottest land in the world
Awash River is the main flow into the area, the source of life for Afar people and their herds.Awash is one of the most special rivers in the world because it never flows to the sea.It flows from the Ethiopian plateau to the lakes in Danakil.Heat causes water to evaporate and leave large salt fields.