The Lake that Turns Everything It Touches to Stone

How many lakes have been the perfect refuge to escape the scorching heat in summer? Well, I assure you that Lake Natron in Tanzania is not among them. This lake, located in the northeast of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, is as stunning as it is deadly. If you decide to enter it, you risk turning to stone-literally.

Lake Natron is a 60-kilometer-long alkaline lake that changes color depending on the season. Its waters can range from white to pink or brown, creating a visual spectacle that resembles a spring festival. However, it is its chemical composition that makes it a deadly trap for many creatures. The waters of Natron contain a high level of hydrated sodium carbonate, the very mineral that ancient Egyptians used for embalming bodies.

With a pH between 9 and 10.5, the water is so corrosive that it is compared to ammonia, and any animal unfortunate enough to fall into it becomes petrified, preserved as a natural sculpture forever. If that sounds scary, imagine walking around the lake and finding birds or small animals turned to stone. However, it is not true that you will turn to stone after touching the water. You would need to be submerged for quite some time for that process to begin. If you don't want a bad experience, avoid getting the water into wounds or your eyes.

Interestingly, although the lake is lethal for most species, the lesser flamingos consider it their home. Each year, between August and October, these flamingos nest on the shores of the lake, creating a visual spectacle of flocks of up to 2.5 million birds.

The lake is the perfect place for them. The nests they build on the salt crust are safe from predators, as surface temperatures of up to 50°C make it impossible for other animals to approach. Moreover, the flamingos feed on spirulina algae that thrive in these waters, the same algae that give them their characteristic pink color.

Despite the extreme conditions, nature has created a fascinating balance in this corner of the world. A lake that, for some, is deadly, is also the perfect refuge for one of the most beautiful wildlife spectacles.

Just a few kilometers from the lake stands the impressive figure of the Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, or 'Mountain of God,' sacred to the Maasai people living near the lake. This is no ordinary volcano: it is the only one in the world that emits sodium carbonate lava, a substance much more fluid and cooler than regular lava.

The interesting thing about this lava is that when it comes into contact with rainwater, it turns into a bright white powder, creating the illusion of a crater covered in snow. However, it is only at night that the lava takes on its characteristic red color, giving the volcano the classic appearance of an eruption, a spectacle worthy of witnessing for the more adventurous.

Lake Natron is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating destinations in Tanzania. It serves as a good reminder that nature can be as beautiful as it is deadly. So, would you dare to explore Lake Natron and discover its secrets? Just remember, here nature reigns with relentless power.