The mysterious color-changing lakes of the Kelimutu volcano

Today’s Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features the intriguing and unpredictable colors of three lakes on the summit of the Kelimutu volcano.

The ever-changing colors – which shift between white, brown, green, blue, red, or black – are unique to this particular volcano located on the Indonesian island of Flores.

Folk tales describe the mysterious region as the final resting place for the departed, whose souls are placed in the various lakes according to how they lived their lives.

The westernmost lake known as Tiwu Ata Mbupu, is usually blue, while the center lake called Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai is usually turquoise. The southeastern lake, Tiwu Ata Polo, is usually red or brown, and is believed to be where evil souls are laid to rest.

These images were acquired on three different days by the Operational Land Imager on Landsat 8
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By Chrissy Sexton, Earth.com Staff Writer

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observator