A lake so deadly, it turns animals to stone. Welcome to Lake Natron, Tanzania’s eerie natural wonder
Lake Natron sits in northern Tanzania, near the ‘Mountain of God’—an active volcano fueling its bizarre chemistry
With a pH as high as 10.5, Lake Natron is one of the most alkaline lakes on Earth. Its waters burn skin and turn red due to salt-loving bacteria
Small birds and animals that fall into the lake are ‘petrified’ by its salty, soda-rich water, creating haunting, statue-like remains
The lake’s minerals coat the animals. Over time, the intense heat and evaporation leave behind calcified, stone-like bodies
Despite the danger, Lake Natron is a crucial breeding ground for flamingos. They thrive where few others can survive
The nearby volcano’s unique lava flows into Lake Natron, maintaining its toxic, otherworldly conditions
Tourists are drawn to its strange beauty, but Lake Natron’s delicate ecosystem needs protection to survive
Lake Natron: A place where nature creates stone sculptures from life. Mysterious, beautiful, and dangerous
The River of Five Colors
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