Lake Karum
Salt lake in Afar Region, Ethiopia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lake Karum (also known as Lake Assale or Asale) is a salt lake in the Afar Region of Ethiopia. One of two salt lakes in the northern end of the Danakil Depression (the other one being Lake Afrera), it lies 120 m (394 ft) below sea level.[1] The volcano Erta Ale rises southeast of this lake.
| Lake Karum | |
|---|---|
| Lake Asale | |
Lake Karum/Assale at sunset | |
  Lake Karum Location within Ethiopia | |
 Interactive map of Lake Karum | |
| Location | Afar Region |
| Coordinates | 14°1′N 40°25′E |
| Type | salt lake |
| Basin countries | Ethiopia |
Surface elevation | −120 m (−394 ft) |
Werner Munzinger, who traveled through the Afar Depression in 1867, recorded that this lake was fed by four streams: The Didic, the Ala, the Rira Guddy, and the Ragali or Awra, which is the only permanent stream flowing into Lake Karum.[2]
North of Lake Karum is the former mining-settlement of Dallol. The lake is extremely salty and is surrounded by a salt-pan, which is still mined. The salt is transported by caravan to the rest of the country.
Salt flat at Lake Karum
Water of Lake Karum, visible through a hole in the salt flat
Salt workers at work
Processed salt
Salt transport by a camel train
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