Kelimutu Volcano is located in central Flores island in Indonesia. This volcano is famous for its three volcanic crater lakes that are all different colours.
Each lake has it's own name and change colours throughout the year. The westernmost of the lakes is called Tiwu Ata Mbupu (Lake of Old People), and is blue. The middle lake is called Tiwu Nuwu Muri Koo Fai (Lake of Young Men and Maidens), and is green. Finally, the easternmost lake is called Tiwu Ata Polo (Bewitched or Enchanted Lake) and is red.
There is local folklore associated with the volcano that explains why each crater lake is a different colour. It was thought that the lakes were a resting place for departed souls, and Mae, a god of the afterlife, would send people to different lakes depending on what they had done in their lifetime. The Lake of Old People was where those who died of old age went. The Lake of Young Men and Maidens was where those who died at a young age went. Finally, the Bewitched Lake was where those who were caught doing bad things were placed when they died.
Each lake contains different major elements, making them all different colours. The colour of the lakes change independently of each other as a result of chemical reactions resulting from the minerals contained in the lake. This is thought to possibly be triggered by volcanic gas activity, but is more likely due to oxidation-reduction reactions.
The volcano stands at a height of 1,639 meters. It was last active in 1968 and is now considered extinct.