Mount Kelimutu, Indonesia. Lakes of tears or lakes of "evil spirits" Mount Kelimutu. Indonesia

Indonesia is a country of beauty and exotics. Even a person who has never been interested in this archipelago has probably heard of Komodo Park or Borobudur, as if descended to people from the screen, from films about Indiana Jones. But here's what can even amaze the imagination seasoned tourist Indonesia - Mount Kelimutu + Lakes of Tears. Such a unique natural spectacle cannot be found anywhere else in the world. And what is most interesting is that this complex spontaneously changes over time.

Pride of Indonesia

On which Mount Kelimutu (Indonesia) is located, it is part of the Eastern group. The mountain itself is a volcano and a link in the Fiery volcanic ring. In total, the island has 14 volcanoes, and some of them are in “operational condition”, and therefore earthquakes are not uncommon here. Kelimutu is considered extinct, although the last eruption occurred in 1968, so it is still premature to draw such conclusions. Especially high volcano you can’t name it: it does not reach one meter to the mark of 1640 m. At the same time, it is an object of active tourist interest. And it's all thanks to the Lakes of Tears.

Lakes of Evil Spirits: How They Formed

It is thanks to the latter that these three reservoirs appeared. When the lava erupted, the top of the mountain sank, and depressions called calderas appeared. Since there are no drains from them, precipitation gradually accumulated in them, as a result of which this natural wonder was formed. The colors of these lakes are especially attractive to people: regardless of each other, they change their color. This is what Mount Kelimutu (Indonesia) is famous for (or evil spirits) - a photo from different angles displays an unforgettable sight that this dormant volcano. Note that the two lakes are close, almost touching each other. The third is located at a distance of almost one and a half kilometers from them.

legends

Each of the lakes has its own name. Those that are adjacent are called Tiwu-Ata-Mbupu and Tiwu-Nua-Muri-Kooh-Tai. The first name is translated as "Lake of the Old Men" or "Lake of Souls of the Ancestors". The second means "Lake of boys and girls." The third, located in the distance, is called Tivu-Ata-Polo, translated as "Enchanted", "Lake of enchanted people" or "Lake of sorcerers" - it depends on how the interpreter sounds to you. By beliefs local residents, V colorful lakes x the souls of the dead end their journey. In Tivu-Ata-Mbupu the spirits of wise men and elders live, in Tivu-Nua-Muri-Kooh-Tai - children and youth, and in Tivu-Ata-Polo - sinners and evil sorcerers. Traditions say that if you disturb, anger or offend the spirits living in the reservoirs that crown Mount Kelimutu (Indonesia), then the water in them will begin to change its color. Probably, someone has already touched the dead with something, since this phenomenon has happened more than once: now the lakes have deep black, turquoise and green hues, but just a few years ago the range was different: burgundy - black - blue-green. Tivu-Nua-Muri-Kooh-Tai has changed shades a dozen times in a quarter of a century. Probably because it has become a haven for children, and they are very restless and fickle.

scientific explanation

Although the Kelimutu volcano is considered extinct, some underground processes are still taking place in it. A solfatara comes out into one of the lakes - a crack through which hydrochloric acid and hydrogen sulfide enter it. The latter, upon contact with oxygen in the atmosphere, turns into sulfuric acid. Both compounds are very active, and since the lakes are very mineralized, chemical reactions occur in them, on which it depends. While one of the lakes had a red tint, this indicated the interaction of iron and hydrogen sulfide; now the color is almost close to black. All shades of green and blue are the result of different concentrations of the aforementioned acids and their reactions with various constituents of the lakes.

Path to a miracle

Mount Kelimutu (Indonesia), is part of the national park, which is relatively small, but located quite far from the benefits of civilization - 60 kilometers to the nearest city. Therefore, the village of Moni, which is located directly at the foot of volcanoes, enjoys great love of travelers. Here you can not only relax, but also hear various details (often very contradictory) of local legends.

To see the colorful lakes, it is most convenient to land in Ende. From there, a minibus goes to Moni; people who do not save on expenses can hire a taxi or rent a scooter.

Another option is to take a plane to Maumere; True, this city is further from Kelimutu, 105 kilometers, but for many tourists this route is more convenient for their own reasons. There are also buses to Moni from there; you will have to spend 3-4 hours on the way - depending on what the weather is like and whether scree happened after the earthquake.

Minibuses go to the mountain from Moni, and you will have to climb stairs to the craters - as much as 13 kilometers.

The observation decks that Mount Kelimutu (Indonesia) is equipped with are fenced for safety. It is strictly forbidden to climb over them - and you should not ignore this prohibition. The guide will gladly tell you about a young Dane who wanted to take a photo from an unexpected angle and fell into the Lake of Young Souls. His body, by the way, was never found.

The best view of the Lakes of Tears opens at dawn - later there is a high probability of fog, due to which it is often impossible to see anything.

It is better to go down before dusk - the mountains are dangerous in the dark, and it comes very abruptly. Try to walk in a group: the lakes have highly dangerous fumes from which people lose consciousness. There will be someone in the crowd to carry the fallen.

When traveling in Indonesia, do not miss the Kelimutu volcano - the photos that you take in these places will remind you of visiting truly wonderful places for a long time. And they will prove to the incredulous that the lakes are really colorful.

In the craters of the Kelimutu volcano (Kelimutu) there are 3 lakes, which are located on the same top of the volcano in Indonesia. However, despite this, each of them differs from the others in color. This is the only place in the world where you can see such a striking difference in colors.

Lakes of tears or lakes of "evil spirits" Mount Kelimutu. Indonesia.

All three lakes have their own names. Local residents have believed for centuries that the lakes are a place of spiritual rest for their ancestors. According to legend, the lakes change color according to the mood of the souls, and in this case, the moods of the souls are constantly changing.

Lakes of tears or lakes of "evil spirits" Mount Kelimutu. Indonesia.

Lake of the Elderly (Tiwu Ata Mbupu), located in western point volcano, usually blue. It is separated from the other two and it is here, according to legend, that the souls of elderly people who led a decent lifestyle go.

The other two lakes are separated by a crater wall. The Lake of Youth and Women (Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai) is usually characterized by its green color. The third, Enchanted Lake (Tiwu Ata Polo), often takes on a blood red color, but in these photographs, it appears olive.

It is in the third lake, according to legend, that the souls of bad people are taken, regardless of gender and age. The very word "Kelimutu" means a boiling lake and people can often observe puffs of steam rising from the surfaces of the lakes.

Despite the fact that the depths of the lakes have not been thoroughly studied, it is believed that the difference in color is due to underwater fumaroles. Fumaroles are holes on the surface of the planet through which gas and steam escape - sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride and sulfide, as well as carbon dioxide. This process causes the deep waters, rich in nutrients and color, to rise to the surface and retract surface water down, which is the reason for the change in the appearance of lakes.

Mount Kelimutu is located in the national park of the same name on the island of Flores. Despite the fact that the island is 350 kilometers long, the park itself is quite small, and the nearest town (Ende) is 60 kilometers away. However, the small farming village of Moli is located next to the volcano and is often used as a resting place by tourists who decide to rest on the way to the Kelimutu ridge.

It is impossible to predict what the color of the lakes will be when you go upstairs, because they change significantly. Unlike other crater lakes, the color of which can be predicted, the color of these three lakes cannot be predicted. The colors you see in the photo are usually the dominant colors: blue, green and black, but the lakes can also be white, red and blue, respectively.

People making the journey to the top of the ridge usually do so at dawn. Often, later in the morning, three lakes are hidden behind patches of fog. However, by noon, the fog dissipates and the people who have reached here are alone here. However, they must remember to start their descent towards the Moli village before evening.

A few reckless hikers chose the unofficial path along the edge of the lakes. The slippery volcanic rock made this path dangerous, not to mention the fumes coming from the lakes that make people faint. Those who fell into the lakes did not get out alive.

In 1995, a Danish hiker fell down a steep slope into the Lake of Youth and Women. But, despite the fact that five days were spent searching for him, his body was never found. One can only hope that his spirit has reunited with the souls of the young and women who live here. Since then, people usually do not climb over the fence.

Despite the fact that this volcano and lakes are not well known outside of Asia, Kelimutu is considered by many to be one of the seven wonders of nature. And it's hard to disagree with that.

Kelimutu - famous volcano, located on the territory of the national park of the same name in the center of the Indonesian island of Flores. The last time Kelimutu woke up was in 1968, after which there were no signs of activity. At the top of the volcano, whose height is 1639 m, there is a real natural wonder- three crater lake different colors. They appeared as a result last eruption Kelimut, when small depressions formed in the magma, which eventually filled with precipitation. Unusual reservoirs, located relatively close to each other, tend to periodically change color from turquoise to green, red, brown or black.

According to modern scientific guesses, such changes in the color of lakes occur as a result of a chemical reaction that occurs between various minerals and gas. For example, the reaction of iron with hydrogen sulfide gives a reddish tint, and a high concentration of hydrochloric and sulfuric acids causes a deep green color.

The inhabitants of the village of Moni, located almost at the foot of Kelimutu, have their own theory - they believe that the souls of their dead ancestors go to these lakes, and the color change indicates that the souls living in the reservoirs were angry. Another version says that the change in color may be a signal of impending critical events in Indonesia.

Each lake has its own name, reflecting the legend associated with it. The westernmost of the lakes, located about 1.5 km from the other two, is called Tivu-Ata-Mbupu (“Lake of the Old Men”), in which, according to legend, the souls of those who lived their lives with dignity and died of old age find shelter. It symbolizes the wisdom and knowledge of older people that only come with age.

Lake Tiwu-Ata-Mbupu:

The name of the central lake - Tivu-Nua-Muri-Kooh-Tai - is translated as "the lake of young men and women", the innocent souls of those who died young go into it. This lake changes color especially often, they say that in the last twenty-six years it has changed the color of its water twelve times.

Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai Lake:

Tivu-Ata-Polo, which means "enchanted lake", or "lake of evil souls", serves as an eternal home for the souls of villains.

Lake Tivu-Ata-Polo:

The last two reservoirs are located side by side, they are separated only by a thin wall of the crater, which, according to the beliefs of local residents, personifies the fine line between evil and good:

The color of the water of the three lakes is very unpredictable, therefore, when climbing to the top of the volcano, it is impossible to know exactly what combinations of colors will be this time. According to the latest data, now the lake of old people is painted black, although until recently it was green, the lake of boys and girls has a rich green color, and the lake of evil souls is brown. Just a few years ago they had white, turquoise and red colors. In November 2009, the waters of the lakes were dyed black, turquoise and brown.

And already in July 2010, Tivu-Ata-Mbupu was pleasing to the eye with a bottle-green color, Tivu-Nua-Muri-Kooh-Tai was painted turquoise, and Tivu-Ata-Polo had the color of moss green:

admire amazing views reservoirs is best from the top of Kelimutu, on which there is Observation deck, more precisely, the pyramid, called the “point of inspiration”. The most beautiful and rich shades of the lake acquire at dawn and sunset, and in the late morning, when they are shrouded in thick fog, a bewitching atmosphere of mystery reigns here. It is best and safest to view water bodies from specially designated places, since the volcanic stone is very slippery and it is extremely dangerous to walk on it, moreover, the vapors emanating from the lakes lead to fainting.

The lakes of the Kelimutu volcano are one of the most interesting sights in Indonesia. Indonesians are very fond of this place, earlier the famous chameleon ponds were even depicted on a bill of 5000 rupees.

These lakes are only a small part of the Kelimutu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the unique natural objects This area is visited by several thousand tourists every year.

On the Indonesian island of Flores, there is the Kelimutu volcano. IN last time its eruption was recorded in 1968. It became famous throughout the world for its three lakes, which are located on its plateau at a level of 1639 meters above sea level. These lakes have very interesting properties - they change the color of their water from turquoise to black. Each time climbing the volcano, no one can guess what colors of the lakes will appear before them. The depth of the lakes has not been precisely studied, but a figure of 1650 meters is voiced - that is, the height of the volcano.

To get to the lakes, you need to spend 3 hours climbing the volcano from the village of Moni on foot, or you can drive a car along a very dangerous serpentine road for 30-40 minutes.

Each lake has its own name and its designation.

The first lake is called Tivu-Ata-Mbupu, it is located in the west, 1.5 km from other lakes, which means the Lake of the Old Men. According to legend, the souls of worthy elderly people who have completed their earthly journey go to this lake. This lake is most often a pure turquoise color. Symbolizes the lake of wisdom and knowledge that can only be obtained with years lived.

Lake Starikov

The second lake is called Tiwu-Nua-Muri-Kooh-Tai and is translated as the lake of Boys and Girls. It is located between two other lakes, located between them. This lake most often comes in different shades of green. The souls of young people who left this life early go to this lake. This lake most often changes its colors. Its color changes approximately once every two years.

Boys and Girls Lake

And the third lake is called Tivu-Ata-Polo, which means Enchanted Lake. According to beliefs, guilty souls get there. This lake is most often red to black in color. Sometimes the lake releases steam.

enchanted lake

Between the Lake of Boys and Girls and the Enchanted Lake is a thin wall of the crater, which seems to personify the fine line between good and evil.

To date, there is no exact answer why and how these three lakes constantly change their colors from the lightest shades to deep black. But scientists suggest that this is the result of the reaction of minerals in the water and gases that exit the volcano through the bottom of the lakes. For example, the reaction of iron with hydrogen sulfide can turn water red. And the concentration of two acids, such as sulfuric and hydrochloric, can give water a green color.

Video of the three lakes of the Kelimutu volcano

Residents of the nearby village of Moni are sure that the water changes its color due to the fact that the souls who went there got angry. According to another theory, the change in the color of water bodies may be a bad harbinger of critical events that may occur in the near future.

Enjoying the view of the lakes is best and safest from specially designated places, which are located on the top of the Kelimutu volcano. This is an observation deck that offers amazing views of all three lakes. The volcanic stone itself is slippery, and the gases emitted by the lakes can even lead to fainting, so you should not turn off the fenced path and use the observation deck for your own safety.

The observation deck is also called the point of inspiration, from which, in the very early morning, when the fog clears, you can watch the most mysterious and bewitching sight. The most saturated colors of the lake acquire at sunset and at dawn.

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In the central part of the Indonesian island of Flores, on the territory national park, Kelimutu volcano rises. The volcano has been dormant for a long time. His Last Activity showed up in 1968. Then three multi-colored lakes were formed - an amazing miracle of nature.

The lakes are located at the very top of the mountain, in the depressions formed after the eruption. Lakes, like a chameleon, periodically change their colors from green, turquoise to brown, red and black.

This color change is due to chemical reactions occurring in water between gas and minerals. For example, an increase in the level of sulfuric and hydrochloric acid turns the lakes into a beautiful green hue, and the reaction between hydrogen sulfide and iron gives a red color.

Locals explain this phenomenon by the fact that the souls of their dead ancestors live in the lakes. If the color in the lakes changes, it means that the souls are very angry. There is another version according to which the change of colors indicates upcoming tense events in.

The lake located on the western side is called Tivu-Ata-Mbulu. The name translates as "lake of the elderly." The legend tells that the souls of kind people found peace in the lake. Having lived their lives with dignity, they died at a ripe old age. The lake means wisdom, which appears only with great life experience.

In the center is the reservoir Tiwu-Nua-Muri-Kooh-Tai or "lake of girls and boys." It contains the souls of dead young, innocent people. The peculiarity of the reservoir is that in 26 years its color has changed 12 times.

The last lake is Tivu-Ata-Polo - "the lake of evil souls". The souls of evil people languish in its waters. These two lakes are separated by a thin wall of a volcanic crater. The partition has a symbolic meaning and clearly shows that good and evil are separated by a very thin line. It is almost impossible to predict what the color of the lake will be. Today, the lake of "good" has changed from green to black. The lake of "young souls" was painted in a bright green hue, and the lake of "evil" in brown.

The best panorama of the most wonderful reservoirs opens from the top of Mount Kelimutu. For safety reasons, it is better to use the “point of inspiration”, this is the name of the observation deck. At dawn or dusk, the lakes take on bright, rich colors. Thick fog thickening over the area creates an atmosphere of mystery and mysticism.

In Indonesia, volcano lakes are highly valued. In the past, their images flaunted on banknotes of 5,000 rupees. Kelimutu Park is protected by the Convention world heritage. The views of chameleon lakes every year attract thousands of tourists from all over the world, seeking to admire the next masterpiece of nature.