By Devaa Ramalingam – Art in Tanzania intern
Environmental Advocacy Program
Although Medusa is a Greek mythological character whose eyes, when people turn into stone, lake Natron is a real place in the north Ngorongoro District of the Arusha Region in Tanzania. It is one of the most shallow lakes in the world; it’s only 9.8 feet deep. The lake is a maximum of 57 kilometres long and 22 kilometres wide.
Why is It dangerous?
When you hear its name, it seems like a typical lake, so what makes it lethal? The lake Natron is very close to the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai, this volcano forms a rare kind of lava that consists of rich amounts of sodium and potassium carbonate. These two chemicals were the key ingredients for the ancient Egyptian mummification. Hence, this lake has that preservative in a perfect lake form. This gives the lake that Vermillion-Red vibrance.
In 2013, a wildlife photographer, Nick Brandt, found out that there were dead birds found on the surface of the red water, which seemed like as the bird came in contact with the water, it turned into stone.
Is there Life in Lake Natron?
Although many of these birds fly into the lake as reflective and mirror-like and die and turn into this lake, it is not barren. The lake’s toxic waters provide a haven from predators. This is why it’s best suited for flamingos. Flamingos thrive in salty lakes because they have tough skin and long, smooth legs that prevent burns. They have a special gland in their nasal cavity, which helps them filter water for drinking. They can feed on the toxic algae found all over the lake as their stomachs are very strong.
Can Humans go into Lake Natron?
The simple answer is no, as we are NOT flamingos. Depending on the time of the year, the water can be up to 60 degrees, which can cause third-degree burns in less than 5 seconds. You can’t take a quick dive either, as the lake is very shallow, and as it has a high concentration of sodium, there are sharp salt crystals found on the surface.
The Medusa factor:
Anything that falls into the Lake Natron or touches it won’t be turned into stone immediately.a But if an animal is drowned in it and its body manages to stay submerged in the lake, the entire body would harden in time and be preserved. If you find a body, the hair and organs remain intact even after centuries of becoming stone. In ancient Egypt, they used natron salt for mummification, which the whole of Lake Natron is made of. As the lake has a high alkaline content, it stops the decomposition process.
English 
Finnish 
Italian 
Polish 
French