Waw al-Namus
Waw al-Namus is a striking volcanic crater in Libya’s Fezzan region. Inside the crater you will see a central scoria cone, several small lakes and patches of vegetation that stand out against the surrounding desert. The dark ring of volcanic ash and the bright, often greenish lakes make the site look almost unreal from a distance.
The site is a volcanic caldera about four to five kilometres wide with a high scoria cone at its centre. The black tephra around the crater contrasts sharply with the pale Sahara sand.
Within the crater there are several small lakes and springs. Some lakes are fresh while others are salty or seasonal. The water supports small patches of plants and a few palm trees, creating a rare wet spot in the middle of the desert.
The colour contrast and round shape make Waw al-Namus one of the most photogenic natural sites in the Libyan Sahara. Aerial views show the crater as a colourful, almost painted circle in a vast empty landscape.