Danakil Depression: Why Is This Alien Terrain Called ‘Gateway to Hell’?

The northern part of Ethiopia is home to one of the most alien places on the planet, which was dubbed a veritable "land of death" by British explorer Wilfred Thesiger. Known as the Danakil Depression, its hot and treacherous terrain earned it its nickname, "Gateway to Hell."

An Alien World

The Danakil Depression is home to some of the most fascinating geological structures on Earth, with remarkable features that look more Martian than terrestrial. One of the main tourist attractions is the contrasting salt lakes Karum and Afdera, the kaleidoscopic landscape of the Dallol Crater, and the active volcano Erta Ale.

Measurements of average annual temperatures reveal that the Danakil Depression is the hottest place on Earth. Average temperatures range between 95 - 104 degrees Fahrenheit (35 - 40 degrees Celsius) annually. The region also experiences no more than 100 - 200 mm of annual rainfall, all of which quickly evaporates under the extreme heat. It is also one of the lowest land destinations on the planet at more than 328 feet (100 meters) below sea level.

For many centuries, this treacherous terrain has been utilized by humans who mine for salt by hand. It has also become a popular tourist destination due to its peculiar geologic features like sulfurous springs, plumes of scorching stream, and pools of caustic acid.

Since the Danakil is a new ocean basin, it is expected to be submerged in water millions of years in the future. This will occur as the continents drift enough such that the Red Sea spills over into the rift, creating a new ocean that would divide the African continent in two.

Secrets of the Danakil Depression

The Danakil Depression is located at the triple junction between three tectonic plates, which spans Eritrea, Djibouti, and the Afar region of Ethiopia. Also known as the Afar Depression, it sits over; it was formed from the continental drift of the Asian and African plates. As these giant slabs of solid rock separate at a rate of 0.39 - 0.79 inches (1 - 2 centimeters) per year, they leave behind a geological depression with colorful terrains.

Meanwhile, this alien terrain is extremely hot because of several factors, like low elevation, being part of the wider Danakil desert region, and the equatorial position, which makes it experience little seasonal cooling. Additionally, the Danakil is close to the Red Sea, a warm body of water that does not offer a cooling effect during the winter season. On the other hand, the wild colors of the region come from the unique terrain, which combines seawater and volcanic minerals like iron, sulfur, and copper.

Even if the depression belched out a mixture of chlorine and sulfur gas, scientists discovered forms of life thriving in Dallol's water. In 2016, a team of researchers from Italy's International Research School of Planetary Sciences, University of Bologna and Ethiopia's Mekelle University discovered evidence of bacteria living in the waters which are categorized as "polyextremophiles". These organisms can tolerate extreme levels of acidity, salinity, and heat all at once.