The Atlantic published incredibly beautiful photos of Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression. They are a must-see for outdoor enthusiasts.

Subterranean volcanic activity brings the minerals to the surface Danakil desert. The sulfur shimmers in all shades of yellow, from snow-white salt towers bubbling water, iron deposits provide dark red and brown shades. Hardly any other place in the world is hotter – temperatures average 34.5 degrees Celsius, but it can easily rise to over 50 degrees. Life is scarcely provided for in such a landscape – instead, sulfur lakes bubble in the Dallol area, and it smells accordingly. At sunset, the landscape, which is about 100 meters below sea level in the border area with Eritrea, can seem almost idyllic. For example, visitors can use the slightly hot hours of darkness to climb up to the active volcano Erta Ale.

You can see the high resolution photos here.