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Mudflats with scattered volcanic rocks are mingled with pinnacles of mineral deposits on the edge of Lake Abhe. At the base of many of the pinnacles are hot (70°C) springs that support vegetation. When the level of Lake Abhe was higher and the pinnacles were submerged by lake water, these springs were the source of the minerals that precipitated and formed the pinnacles. Lake Abhe is the salty terminus of the Awash River, and the increased use of irrigation water in Ethiopia has removed most of the freshwater inflow.

Filename
STNMTZ_20110329_07132.tif
Copyright
©2011 George Steinmetz
Image Size
5616x3744 / 60.2MB
Contained in galleries
Afar Depression
Mudflats with scattered volcanic rocks are mingled with pinnacles of mineral deposits on the edge of Lake Abhe. At the base of many of the pinnacles are hot (70°C) springs that support vegetation. When the level of Lake Abhe was higher and the pinnacles were submerged by lake water, these springs were the source of the minerals that precipitated and formed the pinnacles. Lake Abhe is the salty terminus of the Awash River, and the increased use of irrigation water in Ethiopia has removed most of the freshwater inflow.

All images ©George Steinmetz. Please contact us for usage.