After the second overnight under the stars, we drove very early in the morning to the Dallol pools, a unique and extremely harsh hydrothermal system in Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression. It lies in one of the lowest land points on Earth, over 100 meters below sea level, and holds the record for the highest average annual temperature. The pools are known for their bright, mineral-based colours and their hot, highly acidic, saline water. Temperatures can exceed 110 °C, and the pH is often below 1, making it one of the most toxic environments on Earth. While some extremo-tolerant microbes have been found, recent studies indicate that some of the hottest and most acidic pools are devoid of life, likely due to contamination from external sources.
