Kawah Ijen volcano is one of several volcanoes located in the 15km diameter Ijen Caldera in E Java, Indonesia. The active crater measuring 950×600 m and it harbours a large warm acidic crater lake and an active sulphur mine. The volcano emits gases through fumaroles inside the crater, and local miners have tapped those gases to earn a living. Stone and ceramic pipes cap the fumaroles, and inside, the sulfur condenses into a molten red liquid, dripping back down and solidifying into pure sulfur. Miners hack chunks off with steel bars, braving extremely dangerous gases and liquids with minimal protection, then load up as much as they can carry for the several kilometers to the weighing station. Loads can weigh from 45 to 90kg, and a single miner might make as many as two or three trips in a day. At the end of a long day, miners take home approximately $5.00 usd.

credit: Claude Chauvin

The Caterpillar 797 series trucks are the largest trucks ever. it costs between $4.7 million to $5.6 million US Dollars. Caterpillar has produced three generations of 797 haul trucks:

The first generation (1998 – 2002): model 797

• engine: 3,400 hp 2,535 kW
• overal length: 47.7 ft in 14530 mm
• overal width: 30 ft in 9150 mm
• overal height: 23.8 ft in 7240 mm
• wheelbase: 23.6 ft in 7200 mm
• max speed: 39.8 mph 64 km/h
• empty weight: 1225748.2 lb 555990 kg
• loaded weight: 719875.5 lb 326530 kg
• fuel capacity: 1799.8 gal 6813 L

The second generation (2002 – 2009): model 797B

• engine: 3,550 hp 2,647 kW
• overal length: 47.7 ft in 14530 mm
• overal width: 30 ft in 9154 mm
• overal height: 24.9 ft in 7584 mm
• wheelbase: 23.6 ft in 7200 mm
• max speed: 42 mph 67.6 km/h
• empty weight: 584225 lb 265000 kg
• loaded weight: 1375000 lb 623690 kg
• fuel capacity: 1800 gal 6813.7 L

The third generation (2009 – Present): model 797F

• engine: 4,000 hp 2,983 kW
• overal length: 49.6 ft in 15090 mm
• overal width: 31.3 ft in 9530 mm
• overal height: 21.5 ft in 6530 mm
• wheelbase: 23.7 ft in 7220 mm
• max speed: 42 mph 67.6 km/h
• empty weight: 575000 lb 260810 kg
• loaded weight: 1375000 lb 623690 kg
• fuel capacity: 1000 gal 3785 L