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Source: This post “Kawah Ijen Crater Lake” is based on the article “Acid cauldron on Earth: World’s largest acidic lake looks spooky from space” published in “India Today” on 2nd November 2023.
Why in the News?
The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission, which provides optical images of Earth’s surface, captured the stunning images of this Lake and its related natural phenomenon.
What is Kawah Ijen Crater Lake ? Its location and its distinct properties?
Location in Java
| What is it? | It’s the world’s largest acidic lake. |
| Where it is located? | In the crater of the Kawah Ijen volcano (centre of East Java, Indonesia) |
| What it is known for? | Turquoise blue waters |
| What are its distinct properties? | (1) High concentration of acid– Lake filled with a high concentration of sulphuric and hydrochloric acids, as well as dissolved minerals, which makes it unswimmable. (2) Very less PH value-The water in the Kawah Ijen Crater Lake has pH values as low as 0.5, similar to the strength of car battery acid. (3) Emit high level of gases– It emits hot, flammable sulphurous gases that ignite upon contact with Earth’s oxygen-rich atmosphere (gases burn with an eerie, blue flame, creating an enchanting nighttime spectacle). |
| Nearby landscape Feature | (1) Kawah Ijen volcano– It is a composite volcano located at the easternmost part of Java island in Indonesia and hosts the largest natural acidic lake in the world (2) Raung or Gunung Raung Volcano (one of the most active volcanoes on the island of Java present in immediate southwest vicinity) (3) Belambangan Biosphere Reserve, designated by UNESCO in 2016. |
What is Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission?
It’s a European Earth Observation mission that systematically acquires optical imagery at high spatial resolution (10 m to 60 m) over land and coastal waters.
UPSC Syllabus – Geography(Map)
