Although there are thousands of active volcanoes around the world, not all of them are the same or work in the same way. Each one is peculiar and brings with it its own characteristics that make them unique, such as Dallol, the lowest volcano on the planet and the hottest of all, which is why it has earned the name of ‘hell’ on Earth. But in addition to this, we find other enormously impressive volcanic formations, although perhaps the most electrifying of all is the Kawah Ijen volcano that spews rivers of vibrant blue lights from its crater.
The largest lake of hydrochloric acid
We know that the mere fact of observing, even in photographs or videos, the volcanic explosion of the enormous magmatic formations, is already impressive in itself. With their dramatic and beautiful eruptions, volcanoes remind us of the power of nature and the vulnerability of man. But beyond the very reflection that allows us to look at this type of event, we must recognize that there is an aesthetic experience in the process.
The rivers of lava that slide over the earth leave us perplexed by their indomitable incandescent red. However, there is a volcano completely different from others, although it does not stop being beautiful, on the contrary, it elevates the observation experience because its explosive flame is blue.
The volcano known as Kawah Ijen is a stratovolcano found on the border of Banyuwangi and Bondowoso in Indonesia. It is perhaps the most bewitching volcano of all, not only because of its turquoise lake, which is the largest lake in the world formed by hydrochloric acid, but also because it erupts emitting unusual electric blue glows that leave anyone perplexed.
It’s not blue lava
Although this phenomenon can easily be confused with lava, the truth is that it is something very different. The brightness that expands as plasmatic gas between the stormy paths of the volcano is the consequence of the combustion of sulfuric gases. These gases emerge from the heart of the volcano and escape through cracks in the earth at high pressure and exacerbated temperatures. As they come out violently from the center and at a temperature that reaches 600ºC, they collide squarely with atmospheric conditions and react by igniting flames that exceed five meters in height.
Some of these gases condense in the process, turning into liquid sulfur that trickles down the slopes and forms rivers of vibrant blue fire. This is why it is sometimes confused with blue lava, because in sight this type of combustion also flows as if it were magma, however, it is not.
It is not surprising that completely strange conditions are found on the slopes of the Kawah Ijen volcano, such as its hydrochloric acid lake, which was formed thanks to the volcano emitting hydrogen chloride, which subsequently reacted with water, forming highly condensed hydrochloric acid with a pH of almost 0.
This is not the only geological treasure that can be found near the volcano. When the gases ejected by Kawah Ijen cool, they deposit solid sulfur around them. For this reason, the slopes near the volcano have become a source of sulfur for local miners who sell the pieces of rock to visitors to the region. But undoubtedly the greatest quality of the Kawah Ijen volcano is its electrifying color and the peculiar shape it has when it erupts, which is unlike any other magmatic formation in the world.
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