Fatshimetry
In a world where nature is sometimes majestic and sometimes merciless, there are places where life defies human understanding. Inhospitable lands where only the bravest dare to venture, where survival is a constant struggle. These extreme places arouse curiosity, arouse admiration, but also raise essential questions about human adaptability and resilience.
1. Mount Merapi, Indonesia: Nicknamed “Mountain of Fire”, Mount Merapi is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Despite frequent eruptions, nearly a quarter of a million people inhabit its fertile slopes. The volcanic soil is exceptionally rich, suitable for agriculture. The inhabitants maintain a deep connection with the mountain, considering its eruptions as an inevitable natural phenomenon. They use traditional methods to predict eruptions and evacuate when necessary, but the danger is always present.
2. Dallol, Ethiopia: Holding the record for the highest average annual temperature, regularly exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, Dallol is one of the hottest and inhospitable places on Earth. Despite the extreme heat and lack of resources, a small number of people choose to live there, attracted primarily by the mining opportunities in the area. Geothermal activity creates surreal landscapes, attracting geologists and intrepid travelers.
3. La Rinconada, Peru: Located at over 5,000 meters above sea level, La Rinconada is the highest permanent settlement in the world. Living at such an altitude carries significant health risks, such as acute mountain sickness and chronic hypoxia. However, around 30,000 people reside there, attracted by the promise of gold. La Rinconada is home to informal mining operations where miners work in harsh conditions, often without appropriate pay. They dig for a month and are then allowed to take all the ore they can carry as a reward.
4. Lake Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo/Rwanda: Lake Kivu is one of the Great Lakes of Africa, but it hides a potential danger. The depths of the lake contain vast quantities of dissolved methane and carbon dioxide, which could be released during a limnic eruption, putting millions of lives at risk. Despite this risk, more than two million people live around the lake. They depend on its waters for fishing, agriculture and daily needs. Scientists are working on ways to safely extract the gases to prevent a potential catastrophe, but the threat remains.
5. Oymyakon, Russia: Oymyakon, an icy place in Russia, is nicknamed the “Pole of Cold”. Winter temperatures can drop below -50 degrees Celsius. Despite the brutal cold, this village is home to around 500 inhabitants. The community relies on traditional practices such as reindeer herding and ice fishing. Life in Oymyakon requires special adaptations, such as keeping vehicles running all day to prevent them from freezing, and dealing with the unique challenges of extreme cold in daily life.
These extreme places illustrate the human capacity to adapt to the most hostile environments. Whether through tradition, economic necessity, or simply attachment to home, individuals find ways to survive and thrive in seemingly unlivable conditions. These testimonies of resilience and determination remind us of the strength of human will in the face of adversity.