Dallol Depression Hydrothermal Mineral Pipe - Ethiopia

Dallol Depression Geological Specimen

This hydrothermal mineral pipe is a scientific specimen is from the Dallol Depression located in Ethiopia. The region is known to be a geologic furnace of activity, located at the Afar triple junction where the where the African Plate, Arabian Plate, and Somali Plates meet. The Afar Triangle (also known as the Afar Depression) is a part of the Great Rift Valley. It is one of the most geologically active and scientifically important segments of the East African Rift System (EARS). Treacherous and remote, it is one of the hottest places on Earth. The result is a Mars-like landscape unmatched anywhere else on Earth!

Product Details

• Certificate of Authenticity
• Detailed information
• XRF analysis included!
• Specimen size: 22mm L X 19mm W X 8mm D
• The size of the disk: 1 3/4" diameter X 1/2" D
• Riker display box size: 8 1/4" L X 6 1/4" W X 7/8" D.
• Display stand an sizing cube not included.
• This material was legally obtained from a scientific institution.

Extremely Rare and Inhospitable Terrain

The Dallol Depression is one of the most remote and inhospitable places on Earth, making specimens from this region extremely rare. The area is known for its vibrant and surreal landscape, dominated by luminescent ponds and boiling hot springs and volcanic activity. The harsh environment and difficult access mean that few scientific specimens are collected, adding to their rarity and value. This triple junction is pulling apart, causing massive crustal extension — literally tearing the African continent apart.

In 2005, a powerful earthquake swarm in the Dallol region triggered a sudden dike intrusion, fracturing the crust and forming a 35-mile-long rift. Over 160 earthquakes struck within days, some exceeding magnitude 5.5, as magma forced its way up, splitting the ground open. The three tectonic plates are literally pulling the African continent apart, causing massive crustal extension. Forming in a matter of days the rift is technically a dike intrusion zone, where molten rock (magma) pushed its way up through the crust, cracking it open. The crack is considered a precursor to the formation of a new ocean, as the Red Sea slowly spreads into the African continent.

Geological Activity

The last significant phreatic eruption in the Dallol Depression occurred in 1926. Currently, the only visible activity is from hot brine springs (where this specimen is from). These springs are chemically similar to those found in Yellowstone Park and "The Valley of Geysers" on the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia.

What Are Hydrothermal Systems?

Hydrothermal systems form deep underground by rising superheated fluids, typically driven by volcanic or geothermal activity.

In regions like Dallol, these pipes transport brines enriched with minerals like sulfur, iron, potash, and magnesium from beneath the Earth's surface to the top crust. As these mineral-laden fluids rise and cool, they precipitate layers of crystalline material. These areas are natural conduits of both heat and chemistry, preserving evidence of the extreme environment in which they formed.

What Are Hot Brine Springs?

The Dallol region is home to acidic hot brine springs and rare geothermal features where groundwater, superheated by volcanic activity, rises through thick layers of ancient salt deposits.

Along the way, the water absorbs minerals such as potash, calcium chloride, magnesium, sulfur, and iron, creating scalding pools of ultra-saline, hyper-acidic water that can reach temperatures over 108°C (226°F).

Hostile to Life, Ideal for Study

Despite its beauty, the Dallol hot springs are nearly lifeless. The extreme combination of high heat, intense salinity, and very low pH (often below 1) makes these springs inhospitable to most known forms of life. This makes the region a valuable research site for studying extremophiles (which actually DO exist in these incredible hot springs).

Teaching Dynamics

Perfect for teaching about extreme environments, earthquakes, continent evolution, rift valleys, and even geography! This is an extremely rare specimen from a very remote area, packaged in a terrific scientific display, making it a valuable addition to be used for teaching or your own private geology collection.