Danakil Desert; It is a geological depression in Ethiopia that covers the Afar triangle. The Afar triangle is a region in Northeast Africa, close to the borders of Eritrea and Djibouti. Desert; It is known as one of the most difficult and deadly places in the world to live. The region, which has been attracting attention for many years by scientists, explorers and travelers, is home to fascinating geological structures. The desert is one of the most popular places visited by tourists.
The region’s unique geochemical features create an ideal environment for studying hydrothermal fields on Mars. The collapse is formed as a result of the plates at the junction of the tectonic plates moving 1.2 cm away from each other every year. In the desert, which has a dynamic structure, the geological process still continues today.
Interesting Features of the Danakil Desert
Described as the “land of death” by the English explorer Wilfred Thesiger, the desert has an average annual temperature of 34 degrees. Temperatures reaching 50 degrees are experienced in the region from time to time. The region, which is 125 meters below sea level, receives an average of 100-200 mm of precipitation per year. The Danakil Desert is a barren and deadly geography of volcanic molten soils. The main feature of the desert; the almost complete absence of breathing oxygen in the soil. The air on the desert surface is burned and toxic gases are produced.
In the north of the desert is Dallol Volcano. In connection with the volcano, there are hydrothermal pools, salty and acidic water sources on the desert. Geysers and hot springs in the region release steam and gases containing hydrogen sulfide, sulfate, hydrogen chloride, carbon dioxide. Due to the high temperature, drought and toxic gases, scientists are investigating whether there is life in the region.
As a result of the researches, Felipe Gomez and his team from the Spanish Astrobiology Center have reached interesting data. Various samples were taken from water sources and salt deposits in the desert, and small spherical microorganisms were discovered. These microorganisms, which create excitement in the scientific environment, have been observed to live in hydrothermal fluid with a pH of 0.25 and a temperature of 86 degrees.
The area where the Danakil Depression is located is also known as the “cradle of humanity”. The reason for this is the famous fossil called Lucy, which was found in the region in 1974. Forty percent of the fossil found in the excavations in the region, which lasted for 3 weeks, was completed. It is known that the fossil belongs to a woman who lived 4 million years ago. As a result of the examinations made, the fossil suggests that humans belong to a different species that goes back to the evolutionary process.
The Afar People and the Legend of the Danakil Desert
Despite the harsh climatic conditions of the Afar region, the tribe known as the Afar people lives in the region. The people of the region earn their living by extracting salt from deserts and lakes in the scorching heat. It is known that until the time of the Second World War, the Afar people abused and attacked those who came to the region without permission. Despite the safer conditions today, visitors to the region still cannot wander alone.
About the Danakil Desert, locals believe that the salt found in the area is actually thousands of tons of pure gold. According to the legend told, the local people lived like kings in the region before. But over time, the greedy people became lazy and forgot their gods. God also turned all the gold of the local people into salt as revenge. There is a belief that when people stop being greedy, then their punishment will end and the salt will turn into gold again.
