Lake Natron, a salty and alkaline lake located in Tanzania’s Arusha region near the Kenyan border, is one of the most unusual, harsh, and fascinating lakes in the world. Locals refer to it as a hellish lake — and not without reason.
The lake’s extremely high alkalinity (with a pH that can reach 10.5) makes it one of the most beautiful and simultaneously deadly bodies of water. AdmiGram.com delves into this place where dangerous conditions coexist with breathtaking beauty.
The true “Hell Lake” — Lake Natron
Imagine a place where nature itself creates surreal and almost unbelievable landscapes, straight out of myth or a sci-fi film. That place is Lake Natron in Tanzania. Its eerie scenery both frightens and captivates with its mysterious, almost mystical beauty.
Lake Natron is shallow, never more than three meters deep, and its shoreline changes with the seasons and the water level. It gets its name from the mineral natron. Depending on the season, the surface of the lake can become encrusted with a layer of mineral salts carried by volcanic ash from the East African Rift Valley, also known as the Great Rift Valley. Looking at these photos, it’s hard to believe that at times, this lake appears quite ordinary and safe.
However, when water evaporates and the lake’s alkalinity increases, certain types of bacteria thrive, staining the lake a vivid, blood-red color. Only a few species of animals live in the lake, including a unique fish called the alkaline tilapia. Additionally, Lake Natron is a vital breeding ground for the rare lesser flamingo, one of the few places where these birds can reproduce.
The lake’s waters serve as a safe haven for flamingos during their breeding season, protecting them from predators. As a result, vast numbers of these birds flock to the lake to nest. However, it’s still a dangerous endeavor — flamingos build their nests on salt islands surrounded by the lake’s deadly waters.
With alkalinity levels ranging from 9 to 10.5 pH and water temperatures reaching up to 60°C (140°F), animals — mainly birds — that fall into the lake die almost immediately. Their remains become encrusted with minerals, turning into statues.
Photographer Nick Brandt was the first to reveal Lake Natron’s eerie “ability” to the world. During one of his trips through Africa, Brandt captured haunting images of birds and bats preserved by the lake’s minerals, posed as if still alive. His photo series looked like something straight out of a horror movie, showing the true, chilling nature of Lake Natron.
image on top: Kat and Rully / Flickr
