Indonesia is one of the world’s most geologically active countries. Given its combination of active volcanism and tropical climate, it is home to several volcanoes which exemplify the type of dynamic interactions between the forces of the endosphere and exosphere that are characteristic of volcanic lake environments. Of all the volcanos in Indonesia, Keli Mutu on the island of Flores appears to have the most exotic lakes. In fact, its lakes are so brightly colored that they are featured on the 5,000 rupiah bill and thought of as a national treasure by the people of Indonesia.

The Lake of Old People (Tiwu Ata Mbupu) at the western point of the volcano is typically blue. Lying apart from the other two crater, this is where it is said the spirits of the old who have led righteous lives go to rest.The two other lakes share a crater wall. The Lake of Young Men and Maidens (Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai) is characteristically green. The third, the Enchanted Lake (Tiwu Ata Polo) can often be blood red but in the pictures here appears an olive color. This is the one where the bad people go, young, old, male or female. Kelimutu itself means Boiling Lake and often visitors can see wreathes of steam rise from the surface of the lakes.