True-color satellite image of Kawah Ijen Crater Lake, in East Java, Indonesia. It is the worlds largest acidic lake. The water in the Kawah Ijen Crater Lake has pH values as low as 0.5, similar to the strength of automobile battery acid.
By using this band combination, the Kawah Ijen Crater Lake shows a higher reflectance compared to its surroundings, with the lakes waters appearing electrical blue.
Apparently welcoming, the lake is filled with a high concentration of sulphuric and hydrochloric acids, as well as dissolved minerals. Though this deems the lake unswimmable, it makes it extremely easy to find from area. The water in the Kawah Ijen Crater Lake has pH values as low as 0.5, comparable to the strength of car battery acid.
A Spectacle of Horror and Natural Wonder
The image below, on the other hand, handles a horror-style scheme for Halloween. It has been processed consisting of a particular band from Sentinel-2 that is typically used for seaside water and ocean color observation. By using this band mix, the Kawah Ijen Crater Lake reveals a higher reflectance compared to its surroundings, with the lakes waters appearing electric blue.
This satellite image reveals Kawah Ijen Crater Lake in a horror-style combination for Halloween. Credit: Contains customized Copernicus Sentinel data (2023 ), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
The lakes unnaturally high level of acidity is not its sole frightening quality. It also releases hot, flammable sulfurous gases that ignite as they go into Earths oxygen-rich atmosphere. These then burn with an eerie, blue flame, creating a charming nighttime phenomenon.
Seen in the images is the Raung, or Gunung Raung Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes on the island of Java. With an excellent height of 3332 m (10,932 feet), it looms in the immediate southwest area.
True-color satellite picture of Kawah Ijen Crater Lake, in East Java, Indonesia. It is the worlds biggest acidic lake. Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel information (2023 ), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
The Kawah Ijen Crater Lake in Indonesia, with its lively however toxic waters, is the worlds largest acidic lake. Its known for its noticeably blue look and nighttime blue flames caused by burning sulfurous gases, all set versus the background of the towering Raung Volcano.
Whats spookier than the biggest acid cauldron on Earth? In East Java, Indonesia, lies the Kawah Ijen Crater Lake– the worlds biggest acidic lake, a chilling phenomenon ideal for Halloween.
Capturing Kawah Ijen from Space
The images here have actually been captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission which provides optical images of Earths surface. In the true-color image above, we can see Kawah Ijen with its striking blue-green blue waters.