"What If You Jumped Into Lake Natron?"

Have you ever heard of Medusa, the snake-haired Greek monster who turns people to stone with a single glance? While she may just be a myth, there is an area so deadly that it could turn you to stone: the infamous Lake Natron. What makes Lake Natron water so dangerous? What kind of creatures live there? And could you survive if you fell in? Let's dive into the depths of this enigmatic lake and explore what would happen if you took the plunge.

Before we venture further, let's understand what Lake Natron is made of. Much like the Dead Sea, this Tanzanian lake doesn't flow into any oceans or rivers, allowing it to soak up all the salty desert rain. What makes it especially lethal is its 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 mixes with water. This unique blend of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, once used in Egyptian mummification, creates the perfect preservative. The lake's chemical composition is highly alkaline, with pH levels of 10.5, close to that of ammonia, giving the lake its rosy hue.

Any birds that happen to dive and don't make it out become calcified in a hardened stone-like husk. In 2013, wildlife photographer Nick Brandt documented this phenomenon, discovering several stone birds and other unfortunate animals during the dry season when the water had receded. He theorized that, due to the lake's mirror-like and reflective surface, the birds must have flown right into it as if it were a big glass door. Interestingly, despite many birds dying in Lake Natron, there is a particular species that flourish there: flamingos. The lake's toxic waters provide a haven from predators, making it the perfect nesting ground for these magnificent birds.

If flamingos can handle the lake, can humans survive it too? Well, it's not that simple. Flamingos thrive in salty lakes because of their tough skin and scaly legs, allowing them to drink fresh water from nearby springs or geysers at the lake's edges. If they're desperate enough, they can even filter saltwater with special glands in their nasal cavities. Furthermore, their strong stomachs enable them to feed on the toxic algae found throughout the lake. However, for humans, taking a dip in Lake Natron comes with severe risks.

Depending on the time of year, the water can reach temperatures as high as 60 degrees Celsius, which is hot enough to cause third-degree burns in five seconds or less. Additionally, the lake's shallowness is filled with sharp and salty structures, so fancy dives or cannonballs are not advisable. While you wouldn't turn to stone instantly, if you happened to drown and remain submerged, your entire body would harden and be preserved. If someone found you centuries later, you might still have your hair and organs intact, akin to the process of mummification.

The lake's super-high alkalinity halts the decomposition process, offering protection from vultures or other scavengers seeking a meal. However, if you wade into the lake when the water temperature is lower, it may feel more like a hot tub. Nevertheless, your eyes or any open wounds would sting intensely due to the salt content, so wearing goggles is highly recommended.

In 2007, another unfortunate bird flew straight into this chemical cocktail when a group of wildlife videographers crashed their helicopter into Lake Natron

. Despite the chaos, one of the passengers managed to struggle to shore and alert nearby Masai tribespeople. With their swift action, they built stretchers and carried the injured individuals to safety just in time. While it is possible to survive Lake Natron's waters, it is advisable to stick to a swimming pool for recreational swimming.

Lake Natron serves as a testament to how the harshest environments can become sanctuaries for some animals. But if you're seeking an even more extreme challenge, why not explore surviving a limnic eruption on your next swim? To delve deeper into the world of survival, be sure to check out our new series, "How to Survive," and uncover more thrilling adventures.

In conclusion, Lake Natron stands as a mesmerizing yet treacherous body of water. Its lethal composition, rosy hues, and stone-like victims paint a vivid picture of the dangers lurking beneath its surface. As humans, we must approach its shores with caution, marveling at its wonder from a safe distance rather than risking our lives in its deadly embrace.