The magnificent volcano glows with a mysterious blue light.

Volcanoes are often central to myths and folklore in the places where they exist. These "fierce" volcanoes, spewing violent lava, have haunted people for centuries. One volcano, however, surpasses all others in fame, renowned for its blue glow. That is Kawah Ijen volcano in Indonesia.

Kwan Ijen is one of several active volcanoes in eastern Java, Indonesia. Reaching an altitude of 2,443 meters above sea level, its crater features a lake up to 200 meters deep. Lake Ijen is considered the largest acidic lake in the world.

The unique feature of Ijen volcanic lake is that between 2:00 and 4:00 AM each day, brilliant turquoise flames appear around the crater rim. This magical turquoise light creates a one-of-a-kind beauty that attracts the curiosity of visitors.

Under the influence of high pressure and temperatures reaching up to 600 degrees Celsius, gases emerge from cracks in the mountain. Upon contact with air, these gases ignite, producing flames nearly 5 meters long. Meanwhile, some gases condense into liquid sulfur, flowing down the mountain slope like mystical streams of emerald green lava.

Besides its magical blue flames, the Ijen volcanic complex also holds another "dark secret": it is one of the world's largest and most dangerous sulfur mining sites.

The gas from the mountain is extracted by local workers and then transported through a ceramic pipe, with the aim of condensing the molten sulfur.

Molten sulfur, a deep red color, flows from the mountaintop to the end of the pipeline, spilling onto the ground and instantly turning yellow as it cools. The miners then break the solid sulfur into pieces, put them in barrels, and transport them to nearby smelters.

Miners who do this job endure extremely dangerous conditions and are not adequately equipped with necessary personal protective equipment, but in return they receive a relatively high wage compared to many other jobs.

Let's admire the stunning photos and videos of Mount Kwan Ijen, captured through the lenses of photographers who were caught off guard by these spectacular moments.

My Tong