The Danakil Depression is the northernmost part of the Afar Depression that is also known as the Afar Triangle. The Afar Triangle is a geological depression that sits on what is known as the Afar Triple Junction which is part of the Great Rift Valley. The Afar Triple Junction is at the crossroads of three nations that include Eritrea to the north, Djibout to the west and, to the south, the entire Afar Region in northern Ethiopia. The Afar Region is often referred to as the cradle of hominids as it is in this region that the skeleton parts of Lucy dating back to 3.2 million years were excavated. Within the Danakil Depression are two active volcanoes. Mount Ayalu is the westernmost and older of the two volcanoes. It sits at the southern end of the Danakil Depression. The other active volcano, is known as Erta Ale. It is amongst several crater lakes bubbling molten rock from the earth’s core.

Within the Danakil Depression is Dallol, which is today the hottest place on earth that is inhabited by human beings. Average temperatures are as high as 35 degrees Celsius. The temperatures in Dallol drop to a low of 25 degrees Celsius during the rainy season between September and March. These are the best times for people to visit. However, the temperatures in Dallol climb to as high of up to 50 degrees Celsius during the dry season that runs from March to September. And lying at an altitude of 300 feet below sea level that further extends to 512 feet below sea level, the Danakil Depression is the lowest places on the planet.