THE MOST DEADLIEST LAKE ON EARTH

Have you ever heard of Medusa, the snake-haired Greek monster who turns people to stone with a single glance? While she may be a myth, there exists an area so deadly that it could actually turn one to stone - the infamous Lake Natron. What makes Lake Natron water so dangerous? What kind of creatures live there, and could one survive if they fell in? These are the questions we will explore in this article.

Before we take the plunge, it is important to understand what Lake Natron is made of. Much like the Dead Sea, this Tanzanian lake does not run off into any oceans or rivers, allowing it to soak up all the salty desert rain. However, what makes it especially lethal is its close proximity to the active volcano, Ol Doinyo Lengai. The volcano spews a rare kind of lava rich in sodium and potassium carbonate, called natural carbonatite or Natron for short, which releases into the water. This mix of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate were key ingredients once used in Egyptian mummification, creating the perfect preservative in lake form. The whole chemical composition is extremely alkaline, with pH levels of 10.5, close to that of ammonia. This gives the lake its rosy hue. Any birds who happen to take a dive and do not make it out become calcified in a hardened stone-like husk.

In 2013, wildlife photographer Nick Brandt was one of the first to document this phenomenon. He discovered several stone birds and other unlucky animals in the dry season when the water had receded. He theorized that since the lake is so mirror-like and reflective, the birds must have flown right into it as if it was a big glass door. Despite so many birds dying in Lake Natron, there is a particular species flourishing. Turns out, the lake's toxic waters provide a safe haven from predators, making it the perfect flamingo flocking grounds.

Flamingos can handle the lake's toxicity because of their tough skin and scaly legs, which prevent birds from drinking the fresh water from nearby springs or geysers at the edges of the lake. If they are desperate enough, they can even filter saltwater with special glands in their nasal cavities. Their strong stomachs allow them to feed on the toxic algae found throughout the lake, making Lake Natron the perfect spot to raise and protect their young.

However, for humans, taking a dip in Lake Natron is not advisable. Depending on the time of year, the water can be as hot as 60 degrees Celsius, which is hot enough to cause third-degree burns in five seconds or less. Additionally, the lake's shallowness is chock full of sharp, salty structures, making it dangerous to do any fancy dives or cannonballs. While one would not be turned to stone instantly, if they happen to drown and stay submerged, their entire body would harden and be preserved. If found hundreds of years later, they might still have their hair and organs intact, like mummification. Natron's super high alkalinity stops the decomposition process, which means one would be safe from vultures or any other hungry scavengers looking for a snack.

In 2007, a group of wildlife videographers plunged into Lake Natron's toxicity when their helicopter crashed. The pilot suffered a broken leg, and another passenger had a broken hip. Incredibly, one of the passengers managed to struggle to shore and alerted some of the Masai tribespeople nearby. They quickly built stretchers and carried the injured to land in the nick of time.

In conclusion, while Lake Natron may be a sanctuary for some animals, it is not a safe place for humans to swim. It is important to understand the dangers of such environments and to exercise caution when exploring them.Getting to know all these are you still ready to go