In the remote and starkly beautiful region of northern Tanzania lies Lake Natron, a unique and fascinating body of water known for its deadly beauty.

Often called "The Medusa Water", this lake turns animals into stone—literally. Its highly alkaline waters, which can reach a pH of over 12, are capable of preserving creatures in a calcified state, making it one of the most mysterious natural phenomena in the world.

But Lake Natron is more than just a deadly trap for unwitting animals. It’s also a critical ecosystem for flamingos, and a fascinating study in extremophiles—organisms that thrive in seemingly uninhabitable conditions.

In this article, we'll explore why Lake Natron is so unique, the science behind its petrifying powers, and how this seemingly inhospitable environment supports life.


What is Lake Natron?

Located near the Kenyan border in northern Tanzania, Lake Natron is a shallow salt lake that covers about 58 square miles (150 square kilometers)​.

What makes it stand out from other lakes is its extreme alkalinity, with pH levels often exceeding 10. This, combined with high temperatures that can reach up to 60°C (140°F), creates an environment so harsh that only specially adapted organisms can survive.

The lake owes its high alkalinity to sodium carbonate and other minerals deposited by volcanic ash from nearby Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano. These minerals not only give the lake its unique properties but also create a striking red hue in parts of the water, especially when the water levels are low​.

Why Does Lake Natron Turn Animals into Stone?

Learn More: https://africafactszone.com/lake-natron-in-tanzania/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0fYlCWR_hk

Acidic river. Don't go there

Someone already corrected me maturely. Acidic is different from alkaline

We learn daily

It's the alkalinity

helinues:


You are the real illiterate here. Is alkaline not acidic?

Why do some of you just troll senselessly always?

Make una stop this nonsense trolling and do something meaningful with una time

Nansense

You are just iti bolibo. How is alkaline acidic? Did you attend secondary school at all?

mcbreeze:


You are just iti bolibo. How is alkaline acidic? Did you attend secondary school at all?

Wetin dem dey do for secondary school?

helinues:


You are the real illiterate here. Is alkaline not acidic?

Why do some of you just troll senselessly always?

Make una stop this nonsense trolling and do something meaningful with una time

Nansense

Meeen
Awolowo wept

Afonja44:


Meeen
Awolowo wept

Same way Ojukwu cried profusely and ran away like a coward

helinues:


You are the real illiterate here. Is alkaline not acidic?

Why do some of you just troll senselessly always?

Make una stop this nonsense trolling and do something meaningful with una time

Nansense

God ABeg oooo, how is alkaline same thing as acid?

Even elementary school students won't say this.

Afonja44:


Mynd44 what do you have to say about this?
Your boy is disgracing you here

Stay away from the kitchen if you can't stand the heat.

Person go make his comments but una must attack unnecessarily sha ni

Show us the blood crying

Africa🌍, the garden of Eden

An acid is a substance that has a pH lower than 7. For example, hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, citric acid, ethanoic acid (vinegar). A base is a substance that neutralizes an acid – those that dissolve in water are called alkalis. An alkali is a soluble substance with a pH higher than 7.

When the body becomes too acidic, it leads to inflammation and an increased risk for other diseases and disorders. Whereas an alkalizing diet helps to balance your pH level, ultimately reducing acidity. When you have a more alkaline environment your body is able to function at optimal levels.

helinues:


Stay away from the kitchen if you can't stand the heat.

Person go make his comments but una must attack unnecessarily sha ni

Show us the blood crying

Helinues I'm ashamed on your behalf honestly

I must enroll you for adult education class before you end up like MC Oluomo or Obasa.

Afonja44:


Helinues I'm ashamed on your behalf honestly

I must enroll you for adult education class before you end up like MC Oluomo or Obasa.

Another Iranu, radarada talk

No be una education una dey use troll others on this forum for years just because una candidate loss the election.

Una crying and wailing have just begun

See how inferiority complex is doing you shaka shaka by impersonating the greatest Yoruba even though you are from South East.

Make una start questioning una education . We are yet to see it's impact on this forum for years

helinues:


You are the real illiterate here. Is alkaline not acidic?

Why do some of you just troll senselessly always?

Make una stop this nonsense trolling and do something meaningful with una time

Nansense

Alkaline isn't acidic. Alkaline is the opposite of acid. Just like water is the opposite of fire and vice versa. Stick to politics bro.

angelboy01:
Alkaline isn't acidic. Alkaline is the opposite of acid. Just like water is the opposite of fire and vice versa. Stick to politics bro.

Thanks. You talk normal apart from others.

No be everything person go sabi.

Afonja44:


Helinues I'm ashamed on your behalf honestly

I must enroll you for adult education class before you end up like MC Oluomo or Obasa.

You are really idle, so you had to create a thread about this? Na everything you know in life

What a shame

Seun what do you have to say about your despot moderator Mynd44 coming into another section to delete harmless comments just to protect the image and ego of his minions?

Scroll up, check those deleted comments above and point out the rules they broke.

So in other words, nobody can correct Mynd44's boy, helinues who said alkaline and acids are same? All right, noted.



cc: fergie001 nlfpmod dominique rocktation farano OAM4J MissyB3 Fynestboi mukina2 dragnet puskin justwise naijacutee mkmyers45, UjSizzle

Afonja44:
Seun what do you have to say about your despot moderator Mynd44 coming into another section to delete harmless comments just to protect the image and ego of his minions?

Scroll up, check those deleted comments above and point out the rules they broke.

So in other words, nobody can correct Mynd44's boy, helinues who said alkaline and acids are same? All right, noted.



cc: fergie001 nlfpmod dominique rocktation farano OAM4J MissyB3 Fynestboi mukina2 dragnet puskin justwise naijacutee mkmyers45, UjSizzle

Stop blackmailing others on this forum.

What's the colour of your problem self