Weird Places: The Glowing Blue Lava at Kawah Ijen

TL;DR

The blue flames at Kawah Ijen volcano are caused by combusting sulfur gases, while the turquoise acid lake is the result of dissolved metals in sulfuric and hydrochloric acid.

Transcript

While scrolling through social media you might have seen some pictures of bright blue lava flows and raised a skeptical eyebrow And hey! Good for you doubting stuff on the internet because photoshop is a thing But those photos are real Even though the molten rock isn't what's blue, it's actually combusting gases that make the glowing blue flame A v... Read More

Key Insights

• 🫢 The blue flames at Kawah Ijen are caused by the combustion of sulfur gases, which release energy in the form of photons.
• 💙 The color of the flames is determined by the wavelengths of the photons emitted during combustion, resulting in the eerie blue glow.
• 🙂 The turquoise color of the acid lake at Kawah Ijen is due to the presence of dissolved metals, which absorb certain wavelengths of light.
• 🫢 The acidity of the lake is caused by sulfuric and hydrochloric acid formed by the dissolution of sulfur dioxide gas from the combustion reaction.
• 🤘 The acidic nature of the lake makes it dangerous to swim in, as it can dissolve metals and cause serious harm.
• ❄️ Volcanologists closely monitor volcanic activity at Kawah Ijen due to the densely populated area nearby, as eruption could cause harm from the acidic lake.
• 💀 Kawah Ijen showcases the beauty and danger of sulfur compounds and dissolved metals, making it a unique and fascinating destination.

Questions & Answers

Q: What causes the blue flames at Kawah Ijen volcano?

The blue flames are caused by the combustion reaction between sulfur compounds and oxygen, releasing energy in the form of photons. The energetic state of the electrons in the fuel atoms produces the blue glow.

Q: What gives the acid lake at Kawah Ijen its turquoise color?

The presence of dissolved metals, such as those from chlorine compounds, in the sulfuric and hydrochloric acid cause the acid lake at Kawah Ijen to appear turquoise in color.

Q: Why is the acid lake at Kawah Ijen so acidic?

The water in the crater lake at Kawah Ijen becomes highly acidic due to the dissolution of sulfur dioxide gas, which forms sulfuric acid. The presence of chlorine compounds also contributes to the acidity.

Q: Is it safe to swim in the acid lake?

No, it is extremely dangerous to swim in the acid lake at Kawah Ijen. The acidic nature of the water can dissolve metals, and the pH is below 0.5, making it stronger than the acid in a car battery.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Kawah Ijen volcano in Indonesia has blue flames at night due to combusting sulfur gases, creating a beautiful yet eerie sight.

• The acid lake in the volcano's crater is turquoise in color, caused by the presence of dissolved metals in sulfuric and hydrochloric acid.

• The blue flames are a result of the combustion reaction between sulfur compounds and oxygen, releasing energy in the form of photons.