Ethiopia is a country often forgotten about or glossed over but it has some of Africa’s most stunning scenery and is definitely worth a visit. The Danakil Depression is one of the world’s most interesting geological features as it is the site of a massive depression from three tectonic plates diverging in the Horn of Africa. It is located in the Afar Depression – also known as the Afar Triangle. This depression is around 410 feet below sea level (more than Death Valley that reaches 282 feet below). It should be noted that at the time of writing in 2021, the northern regions of Ethiopia are in a state of civil war and so caution is advised if traveling to the country. The situation is fluid and can change.
The Danakil Depression is located in the north of Ethiopia and it is a plain spanning around 124 miles by 31 miles. It is in the Afar Region of Ethiopia and is located close to the border with neighboring Eritrea (which gained independence from Ethiopia). Africa and Asia are gradually moving apart – as is the Horn of Africa.
In time (like in around 10 million years if one can wait that long), erosion and the Red Sea will breach the highland around the Afar Depression. This will flood the valley and connect it to the sea. This will create a new ocean basin that will be as large as the Red Sea itself. Eventually, the Horn of Africa and the Somali plate will rift and separate away from the rest of Africa as the continent loses its Horn.
