Erta Ale, Ethiopia
April 07, 2015
Photographer: Joel Santos
Summary Author: Joel Santos
Erta Ale is a continuously active, basaltic shield volcano in the Afar Region of northeastern Ethiopia. Its caldera is notable for holding one of world's longest-existing lava lakes -- first reported in 1906. Volcanoes with lava lakes are quite rare. Only six are known worldwide. The nearly full Moon, on the rise this early January night, illuminates the low clouds, acting to balance the light of the sky with the strong orange light of the bursting lava. Photo taken on January 10, 2015.
Photo details: Fisheye lens; 8-15 mm; 85 sec exposure; f/4; ISO 400.