The island nation of Indonesia, dominated by active volcanoes, has an eerily beautiful volcano of blue fire. Most volcanoes are found in Java, which itself was formed as a result of volcanic eruptions. The 13th largest island in the world, Java also houses the mysterious Kawah Ijen volcano—the one that spews blue lava.
Where can see blue fire?
Kawah Ijen
BLUE FIRE IN MOUNTAIN IJEN, BANYUWANGI INDONESIA (Only 2 in the world) Kawah Ijen is the only crater in Indonesia which has a natural phenomenon “blue fire”. In the world, there are only two places that have the Blue Fire. In addition to Indonesia, there is also a blue fire in Iceland.
Where is Kawah Ijen located?
Java, Indonesia
The active crater at Kawah Ijen has a diameter of 722 metres (2,369 ft) and a surface area of 0.41 square kilometres (0.16 sq mi)….
| Ijen | |
|---|---|
| Location | Border on between Banyuwangi Regency and Bondowoso Regency, Java, Indonesia |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
| Last eruption | 1999 |
What material is being extracted from Kawah Ijen volcano?
Sulfur mining has taken place at Kawah Ijen since 1968. The volcano is famous for the striking blue glow it emits from the combustion of sulfuric gases.
Is blue lava hotter than blue fire?
While lava can be as hot as 2200 F, some flames can be much hotter, such as 3600 F or more, while a candle flame can be as low as 1800 F. Lava is hotter than a typical wood or coal-buring fire, but some flames, such as that of an acetylene torch, is hotter than lava.
Is Blue Lava rare?
Grunewald has also documented the blue glow on the Dallol volcano in the Danakil Depression, in the Afar region of Ethiopia near the borders of Eritrea and Djibouti. The heat of magma sometimes ignites the sulfur dust in the soil, forming flames of electric blue. “It is very rare to see that,” said Grunewald.
Is Blue Lava harmful?
It is home to one of the world’s most dangerous sulfur mining operations in the world. Miners extract the sulfur rock, which is formed after the blue flames extinguish leaving behind a solid sulfur-rich rock.
Is blue fire hotter than red fire?
Hotter fires burn with more energy which are different colors than cooler fires. Although red usually means hot or danger, in fires it indicates cooler temperatures. While blue represents cooler colors to most, it is the opposite in fires, meaning they are the hottest flames.
How long does it take to climb Mount Ijen?
90-120 minutes
Then the hike to the Ijen Crater viewpoint takes 90-120 minutes from the foot of the path, which leads you to the top. On a clear day, you can see the magical blue fire, which is a truly unique experience.
Why does the Kawah Ijen volcano spew blue flames?
But at Kawah Ijen, extremely high quantities of sulfuric gases emerge at high pressures and temperatures (sometimes in excess of 600°C) along with the lava. Exposed to the oxygen present in air and sparked by lava, the sulfur burns readily, and its flames are bright blue.
What is blue lava made of?
The flowing electric blue color arises from the combustion of sulfur-rich gases. Hot, pressurized gases push through cracks in the volcano wall, burning as they come into contact with air. As they burn, sulfur condenses into a liquid, which flows downward. It’s still burning, so it looks like blue lava.
