‘Magic Mood Ring’ Volcanic Lakes Of Mount Kelimutu, Indonesia
At first sight, the three volcanic lakes on Mount Kelimutu make you want to dive into the beautiful water. However, these three crater lakes are volcanic and the water swirls with sulfur. Mount Kelimutu is found on the island of Flores in Indonesia and each of the lakes reveals differing colors, just like giant magical mood rings.
Magic Mood Ring lakes of Mount Kelimutu, Indonesia
The word Keli means “lake,” while “mutu” means boiling, so diving in would be a mistake. However, the three, multi-colored craters are one of Indonesia’s most extraordinary sights. Each year, the site attracts thousands of tourists. The local Lio people have named the lakes Tiwu Ata Mbupu (Lake of Old People), Tiwu Ata Polo (Bewitched or Enchanted Lake) and Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai (Lake of Young Men and Maidens.
According to VolcanoDiscovery, a Dutch tourist fell into Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai Lake in 1995 and died. At the time, a five-day rescue effort was carried out, where measurements were taken and the water temperature read 37 degrees C (98.6 degrees F). Meanwhile, experts observed surface bubbling, which can be seen in some of the other images in this article.
Meanwhile, some years ago, NASA Earth Observatory took satellite images of the three lakes over a few months, where the different colors can be clearly seen. According to NASA, the color changes due to volcanic vents that release steam and gases, including sulfur dioxide. As with blood, abundant oxygen turns the water a deep red or even black. However, with less oxygen, the water appears to be turquoise-blue or green.
Moreover, the Ministry of Tourism in Indonesia has noted that besides shades of blue, green, red, or black, sometimes the water is milky white or even chocolate brown.
Legend of the Magic Mood Ring lakes
Local legend surrounds Mount Kelimutu, which stands at 5,544 feet, saying that Ata Polo was a human-eating male witch. Meanwhile, Ata Mbupu was a kind-hearted, well-respected man. A major battle ensued between the witch and the man over the fate of two orphans, who Ata Polo wanted to eat, while Ata Mbupu wanted to protect. This led to their black and white magical powers clashing, causing a massive earthquake that destroyed both men.
Ata Mbupu disappeared into the green-blue lake known as Tiwu Ata Mbupu. Meanwhile, Ata Polo was swallowed up by the earth, upon which a red lake known as Tiwu Ata Polo appeared. Moreover, the third lake, Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Tai is thought to hold the souls of the two orphans.
The local Lio people associate one lake with good, another with evil, and the third with innocence. For this reason, they believe that when spirits come to Kelimutu, the mythical guard at the gate of the three lakes decides which they will enter, based on their life and character.
For this reason, each year on August 14, the people leave offerings such as pork, rice and nuts on the rocks surrounding the lakes, hoping the appease spirits that much otherwise lure people into the water to die.
The best time to hike up and visit the lakes is in the early morning after the pre-dawn mist lifts. Reportedly, as the sun rises, the water appears to be more active and changes colors. Readers can enjoy a virtual visit to the Magical Mood Ring lakes in the video included below.
Readers can find out how to access Mount Kelimutu and the three lakes here.