By Devaa Ramalingam – Art in Tanzania intern
Environmental Advocacy Program
Although Medusa is a Greek mythological character whose eyes turn people to stone, Lake Natron is a real place located in the north of the Ngorongoro District in the Arusha Region of Tanzania. It’s one of the shallowest lakes in the world, with a depth of only 9.8 feet. 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 key ingredients in the ancient Egyptian mummification process. Hence, this lake has that preservative in a perfect lake form. This gives the lake that Vermillion-Red vibrance.
In 2013, wildlife photographer Nick Brandt discovered dead birds on the surface of the red water, which appeared to have turned to stone after the birds came into contact with it.
Is there Life in Lake Natron?
Although many of these birds fly into the lake, reflecting and mirroring their image, and die, 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 throughout the lake, as their stomachs are very resilient.
Can Humans go into Lake Natron?
The simple answer is no, as we are NOT flamingos. Depending on the time of year, the water can be as hot as 60 degrees, which can cause third-degree burns in under 5 seconds. You can’t take a quick dive either, as the lake is very shallow and has a high concentration of sodium; therefore, sharp salt crystals are found on its 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, natron salt, which is found in abundance in Lake Natron, was used for mummification. As the lake has a high alkaline content, it stops the decomposition process.
