Kelimutu's Color-Changing Crater Lakes

Kelimutu is a volcano on Flores island in Indonesia. Kelimutu holds three crater lakes that differ in color.

Tiwu Ata Mbupu sits on the western side and is usually blue. The other two are usually green or red.

Crater hues shifted before the year ended.

Subaqueous fumaroles release sulfur dioxide under the water. Your watch would not appreciate the sulfur dioxide.

Each lake connects uniquely to the volcano below. Temperatures range from 21 °C to 30 °C depending on activity.

A Dutch military commander noticed Kelimutu in 1915. Nobody told the volcano.

Kelimutu is sacred to the local Lio people. They leave offerings beside the lakes.

Kelimutu stands 1,639 m high within the Sunda Arc tectonic zone. Three acidic lakes shift colors quietly.