Although there are thousands of active volcanoes around the world, not all of them are the same or function in the same ways. 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 ‘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 equally beautiful eruptions, volcanoes remind us of the power of nature and the vulnerability of man. But beyond the reflection itself that allows us to look at these types of events, 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 one that is completely different from others, although it is still beautiful; on the contrary, it elevates the observation experience because its explosive flame is blue.
The volcano known as Kawah Ijen is a stratovolcano located on the border of Banyuwangi and Bondowoso in Indonesia. Perhaps it is 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 because it erupts, releasing unusual glows of electrifying blue color 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 glow 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. When they emerge violently from the center and at a temperature that reaches 600ºC, they collide squarely with the atmospheric conditions and react by igniting flames that exceed five meters in height.
Some of these gases condense during the process, turning into liquid sulfur that runs down the slopes and forms rivers of vibrant blue fire. This is why it is sometimes confused with blue lava, because this type of combustion also flows as if it were magma, however, this is not the case.
It is not surprising that completely strange conditions are found on the slopes of the Kawah Ijen volcano, such as its hydrochloric acid lake that was formed thanks to the volcano emitting hydrogen chloride, which subsequently reacted with it, 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 expelled by Kawah Ijen cool, they deposit solid sulfur around them. Therefore, 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 without a doubt the greatest quality of the Kawah Ijen volcano is its electrifying color and the peculiar shape it has when it forms, which does not resemble any other magmatic formation in the world.