The story of a place
A volcanic and saline landscape in an extreme environment.
The Danakil Depression is a region of striking contrasts: salt plains, volcanic forms and hydrothermal colours can occur within a wider landscape of exceptional heat. Different named sites are separate destinations, not one compact attraction.
It is also an inhabited working landscape. Afar communities and local access arrangements matter, while political and environmental conditions can change what is possible.
The essential experience
Make time for this.
Study the different landforms through reliable interpretation; any visit needs a current, professionally assessed route.
Explore the highlights
Look a little closer.
Danakil’s saline deposits and volcanic ground create striking forms in an extreme environment.
Mineral colours
Distinguish deposits from permanent rock colour.
Salt surfaces
Look for repeated patterns and evidence of work.
Volcanic activity
Remember that familiar photographs may show past conditions.
For the curious reader
History, landscape
and context.
The Danakil Depression is a large valley of approximately 200 by 50 km (124 by 31 mi), across the north of the Afar Region of Ethiopia and Eritrea. It is about 125 m (410 ft) below sea level and is bordered to the west by the Ethiopian Plateau and to the east by the Danakil Alps, beyond which is the Red Sea. It is the third lowest-lying location on the continent of Africa.
Background reading: an abridged extract from Danakil Depression, by Wikipedia contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Paragraphs have been selected and shortened for this guide. Retrieved 22 September 2026. Source revision ↗.
Turn curiosity into a visit
Plan your visit.
- Physical demands
- Extreme heat, exposure and remote travel.
- The practical detail
- Do not expect an active volcano or hydrothermal area to look exactly like an older photograph.
Before you set off.
Your ticks stay in this browser.Through the seasons
A place in the world
Find your bearings.
Select the pin to open a detailed map. Use Closer look to see the surrounding region. Drag to move a zoomed map.
Map: Natural EarthA closer view.
Load the local map to explore the surrounding area. Map tiles require an internet connection.
- 1Danakil DepressionOpen directions ↗ · Location reference ↗
A sense of place
In pictures.
Keep looking.
10 photographs, with full-size views and individual credits.
Go a little further
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