2024-04-13 05:59:57
Indonesia stands as one of the most attractive destinations in Asia for those seeking experiences in untamed natural environments, exotic landscapes and unparalleled adventures. With a archipelago With more than 17,000 islands, of which 8,000 are uninhabited, and a cultural melting pot where more than 300 languages are spoken, the nation offers a diverse and irresistible panorama for travelers. This attraction is further intensified when considering the presence of a unique volcano that expels blue “lava.”
Why does Kawah Ijen spew blue lava?
He Ijen Crater It attracts tourists and photographers from all over the world thanks to its unique characteristic. The blue appearance of your lava is not due to its actual color, but rather to a chemical reaction. This occurs when the sulfuric gases emitted by the volcano come into contact with the air at temperatures that exceed 500ºC, thus generating its distinctive blue glow.
When lava emerges and comes into contact with oxygen, sulfuric acid gases react, causing the perception of blue lava. It is important to note that this visual spectacle can only be seen at night. During the day, the color of the lava appears similar to that of other volcanoes.
This is the Kawah Ijen volcano, located east of the island of Java, a special and unique place on the entire planet. Photo: EP
What is the mystery of the blue Kawah Ijen flares at night?
At dusk, the Ijen Crater, an active stratovolcano located 40 kilometers from Banyuwangi, reveals its most magical and dazzling spectacle. During daylight hours, it is possible to see the incandescent red lava emanating from this 2,386 meter high colossus, similar to that observed in the eruption of the La Palma volcano (Canary Islands, Spain) in 2021.
However, it is under the cover of night when the lava rivers of different hues are revealed. blue violet that wind through the volcanic landscape, transforming it into a scene worthy of another world. This phenomenon reminds us of phosphorescent colors, which remain dull under sunlight, but glow brightly in the dark.
What is life like for miners in Kawah Ijen?
The sulfur extracted from Ijen Crater, recognized for its high purity and considered one of the best in Southeast Asia, has applications in the chemical and food industries. The workers in charge of collecting it, known as “miners from hell”, carry out a titanic job. Every day, they descend into the bowels of the crater and pass through dense clouds of acid vapors to load up to 80 kilos of this mineral in bamboo baskets. They extract it directly from the ground, in an extremely risky environment and under working conditions that test their physical and mental resistance.
The miners who extract sulfur from Ijen Crater They put their lives at risk daily to provide sustenance for their families. This job is considered one of the most risky in the world, due to the constant exposure to toxic vapors and the adverse conditions of the volcanic environment in which they work. The lake of sulfuric acid present in the crater and the gases released during sulfur extraction pose serious dangers to your health. Faced with these risks, miners have few protection measures, and are limited to covering their mouths with a damp cloth, which barely mitigates the potential damage of inhaling harmful substances.