Danakil Depression

The Danakil Depression is located in the Afar Region of Ethiopia. It lies on the junction of three tectonic plates and is the hottest region on Earth in terms of year-round temperatures. The Dallol crater, seen here, was formed by the intrusion of basaltic magma into salt deposits and subsequent hydrothermal activity. Any microorganisms living here would be categorized as 'extremophilic microbes' and are of major interest to the scientists studying the area to better understand how life might occur on other planets.

14.240259°, 40.298674°

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