• About
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Support The African Dream
The African Dream
No Result
View All Result
Friday, September 29, 2023
  • News
    Uganda

    For Failing To Accept LGBTQ+, World Bank Stops Lending Money To Uganda

    Mali and Burkina Faso

    Mali, Burkina Faso, sends delegation to Niger in solidarity

    Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine

    Niger junta appoints new prime minister

    Breaking: Boeing Is Said Close To Issuing 737 Max Warning After Crash

    BREAKING: 189 people on downed Lion Air flight, ministry says

    Crashed Lion Air Jet Had Faulty Speed Readings on Last 4 Flights

    Trending Tags

    • Commentary
    • Featured
    • Event
    • Editorial
  • Politics
  • World
  • Opinion
  • Tech
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Change Makers
The African Dream
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Politics
  • World
  • Opinion
  • Tech
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Change Makers
Home African Stories

Lake Natron – The Red Tanzanian Lake That Can Turn Animals Into Stones

by Delvid Stanley-Coker
November 29, 2022
in African Stories
0
Lake Natron – The Red Tanzanian Lake That Can Turn Animals Into Stones
380
SHARES
6.3k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Whatsapp

The red Tanzanian lake may appear beautiful and rosy in your eyes but it is one of the most mysterious and incredible places in Africa. However, Lake Natron can turn animals into stones.

Lake Natron is a salt lake that is alkaline and can be found in the Northern region of Arusha. It is close to the Kenyan border. The Tanzanian Lake doesn’t run off into any oceans or rivers. Instead, it soaks up and absorbs the regular salty desert rain. But, do you know what makes it tremendously dangerous that you wouldn’t want to take a dive, it is the lake’s closeness to the active volcano, Ol Doinyo Lengai.

READ ALSO

Cape Agulhas – The Famous Place in South Africa Where the Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean Meet

Queen Tiye: The Black Woman Who Was Egypt’s Most Powerful Queen

This Tanzanian Lake is a Vision in Red- And You Can Visit | Travel and Exploration | Discovery
Lake Natron from an Aerial View

Ol Doinyo Lengai disposes of a rare kind of lava rich in Sodium (Na) and Potassium Carbonate (K2CO3), called Natrocarbonatite, or Natron for short. Thus, the coinage of the Lake’s name. Releasing into the water, this mix of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate was key ingredients once used by Egyptians in mummification activities. They are a perfect mixture for preservation. The whole chemical composition is extremely alkaline, with pH levels of 10.5 close to matching ammonia (NH3).

A Dead Buffalo In Lake Natron
Lake Natron is red because of the bacteria that inhabit it, which makes its temperature very high. I guess the most overarching point of interest is the fact that the lake can turn animals into stone. This is not as a result of some magical enchantment or spells, it is due to the presence of salt and high alkalinity present in the water. Calcification occurs when an animal touches the water (the body becomes hardened). The animal dies yet appears like a stone. Every part of the body down to its hairs are still in place.
This tragic befall on the birds and animals would usually happen in the dry season when the water had receded. During the dry periods, the lake tends to be mirror-like and reflective, causing the curious animals to go right into it.
Top 9 Activities to do at Lake Natron | Africa Safaris | Shanrod Africa
Despite the place being a death trap for animals, Flamingos can perfectly survive. Flamingoes thrive in salty lakes because of their tough skin and scaly legs which prevent burns. Their system is designed for these harsh conditions.
Depending on the time of year, the water can be up to 60 degrees Celsius (140 Fahrenheit), which is hot enough to cause third-degree burns in five seconds or less. The place might be a hotspot for dead animals or static ones. However, Lake Natron has been an ideal tourist spot.
Tags: #LakeNatronTanzania

Related Posts

Cape Agulhas – The Famous Place in South Africa Where the Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean Meet
African Stories

Cape Agulhas – The Famous Place in South Africa Where the Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean Meet

June 28, 2023
Queen Tiye: The Black Woman Who Was Egypt’s Most Powerful Queen
African History

Queen Tiye: The Black Woman Who Was Egypt’s Most Powerful Queen

May 19, 2023
King Shabaka: The Black Nubian Pharaoh Who Revived Ancient Egypt
African Stories

King Shabaka: The Black Nubian Pharaoh Who Revived Ancient Egypt

May 11, 2023
Władysław Franciszek Jabłonowski – The First Black Military Polish Commander Who Led Troops Across Europe Under Napoleon
African Stories

Władysław Franciszek Jabłonowski – The First Black Military Polish Commander Who Led Troops Across Europe Under Napoleon

April 7, 2023
African Stories

Meet Nikky Palmer: The Sierra Leonean Female Entrepreneur Behind A Natural Haircare And Skincare Brand

February 27, 2023
How Mansa Musa Nearly Bankrupted Egypt and Crashed its Economy
African Stories

How Mansa Musa Nearly Bankrupted Egypt and Crashed its Economy

February 11, 2023
Next Post
Meet Nyillah E. Cawray: The Undergraduate Student Who Finds Passion In Carpentry

Meet Nyillah E. Cawray: The Undergraduate Student Who Finds Passion In Carpentry

POPULAR NEWS

University of Sierra Leone

University of Sierra Leone Ranked Among Top Universities In Sub-Saharan Africa 2023

July 21, 2023
The Ugly and Frustrating Side Of Being A COMAHS Student – Anonymous Student

The Ugly and Frustrating Side Of Being A COMAHS Student – Anonymous Student

August 21, 2023
Albert D. Bangura

Brilliant Sierra Leonean Bags Overall Best Graduating Student In Cyprus University

July 15, 2023
Sam Bangura

Sam Bangura: The Bank Governor Who Died For Defying Orders From The President

July 17, 2023
Sierra Leone Police arrest senior military officers over plot to undermine democracy

Sierra Leone Police arrest senior military officers over plot to undermine democracy

August 2, 2023

EDITOR'S PICK

Nigerian couple go viral after inviting five guests to their wedding

Nigerian couple go viral after inviting five guests to their wedding

December 21, 2021
Caritas Freetown Celebrates Success In The Fight Against Malnutrition

Caritas Freetown Celebrates Success In The Fight Against Malnutrition

June 9, 2023
Popular Senegalese Musician Djiby Guissè, A Member of Les Frères Guissé Band Nominated For The 2022 African Genius Awards

Popular Senegalese Musician Djiby Guissè, A Member of Les Frères Guissé Band Nominated For The 2022 African Genius Awards

January 14, 2022

Sanctions levied on “Spendthrift” Son Of Equatorial Guinea’s President Over extravagant lifestyle spending

December 16, 2021

Read More

About – The African Dream

The African Dream is a groundbreaking digital media platform that has emerged as a powerful catalyst for change, showcasing inspiring, positive, and compelling stories from across the African continent.

Follow us

Categories

Recent Posts

  • Mary Eliza Mahoney: The First Trained Black Nurse in America
  • World’s Oldest Living Woman Celebrates Her 117th Birthday
  • Belford Vance Lawson Jr: The First African American To Win A Supreme Court Case
  • Ralph Metcalfe: The Black Sprinter Who Was The Fastest Human In The World In 1934
  • About Us
  • Meet The Team
  • Support The African Dream
  • Contact Us

© 2023 The African Dream Sl.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Meet The Team
  • News
    • Recent News
  • Support The African Dream
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us

© 2023 The African Dream Sl.

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?

STAY CONNECTED BY SUBSCRIBING TO OUR FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

You have successfully subscribed to the newsletter

There was an error while trying to send your request. Please try again.

The African Dream will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.