12 Otherworldly Volcanic Landscapes: From Lava Tubes to Steaming Calderas
12. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania: Caldera of Life
The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact and unfilled volcanic caldera, forming a breathtaking natural amphitheater teeming with African wildlife. This UNESCO World Heritage site was created when a giant volcano exploded and collapsed on itself some two to three million years ago. Its high walls have created a unique, self-contained ecosystem on the crater floor, where Maasai pastoralists also graze their cattle alongside lions, elephants, and rhinos. It’s an extraordinary example of a volcanic landscape ingeniously transformed into a vibrant haven for biodiversity.
