Danakil Depression
Dallol is the lowest point of the Danakil Depression (116 meters below sea level) in Ethiopia; the most important features of this region are resulted from faulting and cracking. The Great Rift Valley is formed by faulting; the longest rift valley in the world is the East African Rift Valley which extends from the Middle East (Syria) to Mozambique, passing through the red sea, Ethiopia (in a north-south direction), Kenya and Tanzania. The rift valley of Ethiopia is part of the East African Rift Valley system. There are huge beds of natural salt – which, at points, are calculated to be several thousands of meters thick. ERTA-ALE Volcanic Activity, which has continued until today and it, is internal force which changes the surface of the earth. During a volcanic activity molten lava, gases, water Vapors, ashes and other solid materials are thrown out to the surface. In Ethiopia in Danakil Depression, Ert Ale is one of the few volcanoes in the world that has almost continual lava flows and spreads over a large area. Ert Ale is the most active volcano in Ethiopia. Erta Ale means “Smoking Mountain” in the local Afar people language; Erta Ale is found at an altitude of 612 meters high. The Afar People in this area are nomadic and their daily lives mostly depend on livestock production.