In Indonesia, there is the Kawah Ijen volcano. At first glance, it looks like any volcano, however it has a peculiarity, its eruption is blue lava.
Although the blue fire may seem impressive, science assures that it does not come directly from the lava, but rather from its glow.
In reality, although the human eye clearly sees it as blue, this hue is the result of the sulfuric gases it contains, which combust upon contact with air at a temperature that often exceeds 360 degrees Celsius (its ignition point).
Rivers of electrifying blue lava gush from this volcano
Although there are thousands of active volcanoes around the world, not all of them are the same or function in the same ways. Each one is peculiar and has its own characteristics that make them unique, such as Dallol, the lowest volcano on the planet and the hottest of all, which is why it has earned the name ‘hell’ on Earth.
But we also find other enormously impressive volcanic formations, although perhaps the most electrifying of all is the Kawah Ijen volcano that spews rivers of vibrant blue lights from its crater.
Ethiopia volcano Dallol: a deadly beauty!
Dallol craters are dangerous places to visit. Their surface can be covered by a crust of salt with pools of hot acidic water just inches below. Toxic gases are sometimes released from craters. pic.twitter.com/PAZV4mhCHG
— The Iris (@__theblackiris) February 11, 2021
What is the reason for this incredible and fascinating appearance of the “lava” of the Kawah Ijen volcano?
This phenomenon is explained by chemistry. Blue lava actually comes from the combustion of another element: sulfur, a gas that is released at high pressure and temperature, at the same time as molten rock.
Descending down the slopes of the volcano like lava, this phenomenon is the product of the combustion of highly sulfurous gases, such as sulfur, that come into contact with oxygen. In the case of the Indonesian volcano Kawah Ijen, this process is only visible at night, which makes the entire natural spectacle even more attractive.
Kawah Ijen volcano in Indonesia has blue lava that can be viewed at night amongst a complex of volcanoes. Due to its high sulphur concentration, the flames burn blue and hence its also called electric blue fire by some local people. pic.twitter.com/UGtR3nUBZE
— Game of X (@froggyups) May 13, 2024
In fact, the lava at Kawah Ijen is the usual orange-red color. The lava glows with the reddish color of black body radiation. In contrast, the electric blue of blue lava comes from the sulfur emission spectrum. The heat energizes the sulfur atoms and excites their electrons. Electrons release photons when they find a more stable energy. As in the flame test, the color is characteristic of the element.
Technically, molten rock or lava can be blue. However, it doesn’t occur at the natural temperature of volcanoes. For lava to be truly blue, it would’ve reach at least 6,000°C, which is much hotter than anything naturally possible on Earth’s surface.
Water is also magical
If the lava looks blue at night, the water from the Kawah Ijen volcano is also very special, as it shows a very striking turquoise blue color, similar to that of some ice creams and pastries.
This appearance is due to the fact that the water also contains high amounts of both sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid. Of course, this water is very toxic and potentially deadly.
