Hot lips: Eyes and a smiling mouth are spotted in Ethiopian volcano

  • The photos were taken at the Danakil Depression in the Afar region, in Ethiopia 
  • Temperatures at the triple junction of three tectonic plates reach as high as 60 degrees

By MailOnline Reporter

Published: | Updated:

A smiling face has been spotted forming within volcanic lava at the hottest place on earth - the Danakil Depression in the Afar region, in Ethiopia.

Photographer Christopher Horsley, 25, was on an expedition when he caught the lava from the volcano forming two eyes and a mouth.

Temperatures at the Danakil Depression reach as high as 60 degrees.

What a lava-ly smile:  Eyes and a smiling mouth were spotted in the volcanic lava

What a lava-ly smile:  Eyes and a smiling mouth were spotted in the volcanic lava

Mr Horsley, from Ormskirk, Lancashire, said: 'This was my first time to this area of Ethiopia and it was full of different images as the lava formed.

'With a life of chasing erupting volcanoes there is always a childlike feeling as I approach a lava lake for the first time, this was no different.

'The lava lake was low but still amazing as I photographed the churning magma beneath.

'The heat was searing and I kept on thinking how any person could possible live in this barren landscape.

'Hours of driving led us the most remote and isolated place I have ever been.

'It was an incredible place, which I cannot wait to return too. A future project to fit time-lapse cameras to this volcano will bring us back early next year.' 

The British photographer was thrilled to capture the churning magma beneath

The British photographer was thrilled to capture the churning magma beneath

Erik Wilson approaches the lava edge of the lava lake in October 

Erik Wilson approaches the lava edge of the lava lake in October 

Most watched News videos