In addition to deadly danger, some volcanoes also hide incredible beauty. One of them is the Ijen volcanic complex on the Indonesian island of Java.
The Ijen Volcanic Complex stretches for 22 kilometers east of Java, Indonesia. According to IFLScience, in addition to the stunning scenery, it is known for the bright blue “lava” that erupts at night.
Focus.Technologies own telegraph channel. Subscribe to not miss the latest and most interesting news from the world of science!
origin of blue flame
At first glance, Ijen looks like an ordinary stream of hot rock, but with the advent of darkness, the stream turns into an incredible blue flame, reminiscent of scenes from science fiction movies.
This phenomenon is caused by a large amount of sulfur in the rock, as during combustion it releases sulfur dioxide, which creates an incredible blue fire.
When sulfur comes into contact with oxygen, it ignites, causing a blue flame that burns permanently on the rock’s surface but is only visible at night.
Ijen Volcanic Complex
The complex itself is located inside the caldera, a crater that formed at the mouth of the volcano, thanks to which the lake is visible. The complex includes about 22 eruption points, mostly around the caldera.
Although the water in the crater has an attractive blue color, it is dangerous to humans: This is the world’s most acidic lake, and swimming in this water can cause serious injury.
The large amount of sulfur in the area has made it one of the few places where it is mined by hand. After the rock is saturated with sulfur and cooled, it is collected for further use, especially for the manufacture of matches.
Most workers cannot afford the gas mask and use plain fabric, which then leads to serious illness. But despite the dangers of the area, its incredible scenery makes it a popular tourist destination.
But although this is the only place where the blue fire burns constantly, there are other manifestations of this phenomenon. For example, in 2018 the US Geological Survey published a photo of a blue flame erupting during a volcanic eruption in Hawaii. This happened as a result of the methane release.
Also in Ethiopia, Dallo volcano sometimes spews blue lava, the color of which originates from sulfur springs in the ground.
Previously Focus He talked about Dragon’s Breath Cave, the largest underground lake in the world.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.