Ghoubbet-el-Kharab
The Ghoubbet al-Kharab or Lake Ghoubbet (قبة الخراب, "the Gulf of the Demons") is a Djiboutian cove separated from the Gulf of Tadjoura by a violent current. Ghoubbet al-Kharab is surrounded by mountains and cliffs 600 meters high, as well as by the Ardoukôba volcano which separates it from Lake Assal. It is very deep (200 meters) and hosts many fish and sharks that grow in the strong gulf currents, and is part of the junction between the African and Arabian continental plates. The cove is visited by divers - "The Crack" (or "La Faille") and reefs like Ras Eiro are popular locations - and scientists like Captain Cousteau visited the region in the 1980s, investigated the legend and disclosed that he saw the dark shape of a gigantic fish at great depth. He reportedly placed a dead camel in a shark cage and lowered it to the bottom of the cove. When he raised the cage it was crushed and the camel was gone.
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Ghoubbet-el-Kharab Lake Ghoubbet قبة الخراب | |
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Coordinates | 11.5261°N 42.6036°E |
Type | cove |
Basin countries | ![]() |
Max. length | 13 mi (21 km) |
Max. width | 7 mi (11 km) |
Surface area | 158 km2 (61 sq mi) |
Average depth | −205 m (−673 ft) |
Salinity | 3.7–3.8% |
Max. temperature | 32 °C (90 °F) |
Min. temperature | 27 °C (81 °F) |
Islands | Devil's Islands, Abou Maya Island |
The Ghoubbet al-Kharab can be up to one meter different from the sea level, because of the narrowness of the pass, but also the tides and winds.
In the middle of the Ghoubbet al-Kharab are two volcanic islands: the Devil's Islands.