The story of the lake that turns animals that accidentally touch it into stone sounds like something out of Greek mythology. But there actually exists such a lake in the world.
It is Lake Natron in Tanzania (a country in eastern Africa). This is one of the deadliest waters in the world, where most creatures are afraid to approach.
According to The time the water evaporates will leave behind high concentrations of salt and many other minerals. This principle is similar to what occurs at the Dead Sea or Utah’s large salt lake.
However, unlike other lakes, the water in Lake Natron is highly alkaline due to the high amount of chemical Natron. The lake’s harsh conditions are linked to the nearby Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, which spews lava into the lake through a network of flowing streams. The pH is as high as 10 5 and is so caustic that it can burn the eye skin of animals that cannot adapt.
According to ecologist David Harper from the University of Leicester (UK), unfortunate creatures that “stumble” and fall into the lake will be covered in a layer of salt and “petrified”.
And deposits of sodium carbonate – which were used in the Egyptian mummification process – also acted as an excellent preservative for animals that unfortunately fell into the waters of Lake Natron.< /p>
When the water level lowers, the bodies of these animals drift ashore. Most of them still retain their original shape and are covered with a thick layer of salt.
Only the flamingo species still considers Lake Natron a familiar “address”. They come to mate. Even so, they cannot escape the harsh conditions of the lake. If you are unlucky enough to fall into a flamingo, you will also become a “victim” covered in salt.
In addition to animal corpses, Lake Natron is also a “witness” that preserves 19,000 years of history. According to Dr. Cynthia Luitkius Pierce, a geologist from Appalachian University, when the footprints were printed on the dry and hardened sedimentary mud, they preserved the footprints. There are layers of mud that preserve traces of human ancestors in the Pleistocene along the shores of Lake Natron.
Due to high temperatures and large salt concentrations, visitors who want to come here must comply with the regulations. instructions from tour guide travel a> to avoid fatigue and dehydration.
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