Multi Colored Lake At The Volcano Kelimutu In Flores Island, Indonesia

Kelimutu volcano is located approximately in the middle of the Indonesian island of Flores, is perhaps the main attraction of the island. The volcano rises to 1639 meters above sea level, which refers to the Eastern Indonesian Lesser Sunda Islands. Its last eruption was more than forty years ago. After the eruption of magma formed-Kolder depression in which water from precipitation forms a lake, in this case three. At the top of the volcano Kelimutu, in its crater is located three lakes, it would seem that such an unusual, but unusual that they are all different in color. And may even change its color from time to time, which is why these lakes are considered to be still and mystic.

Each of the three lakes has its own name, the local inhabitants of the tribe Lio give them properties to absorb the souls of dead people, and when the soul in the lakes are angry, they change their color. “Lake Older People” (Tiwu Ata Mbupu), located in the westernmost point of the volcano and is located separately from the others, it is turquoise. And here come the souls of the elderly, who led a pious life. Two other lakes are located side by side and separated by a wall of the crater, one of them is called the “lake of boys and girls” (Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai), it is green and it get the souls of young people. And the third – “Enchanted Lake” (Tiwu Ata Polo) blood red and beliefs here come the souls of sinners and murderers. The colors of the lake changes its color from black to turquoise, red or green.

But scientists by the color of the lakes has its own explanation, the variability explained by the presence of dissolved minerals in the water of different nature. It all depends on chemical reactions and elements in each of the lakes, and the strange thing that each of the lakes, even those that are in close proximity to each other, can accommodate a variety of chemical elements and from that painted in different colors. Green Lake give sulfuric and hydrochloric acid, red – the result of the reaction of hydrogen sulfide with iron, although in recent years the lake water red darkens, and now has become almost black. Yet there is a second explanation of the change of color of lakes that coming volcanic gases react with the minerals contained in the lakes, and change their color.

Volcano Kelimutu on the island of Flores is a miracle of nature, which due to its remoteness is wild, but, nevertheless, because of its unusual color lakes has become famous all over the world and has become a favorite destination for tourists and travelers who every year get into this place all more.

Multi Colored Lake At The Volcano Kelimutu In Flores Island, Indonesia