ZBlogS

There's a Lake in Africa that Literally Turns Animals to Stone | Discuss

You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. Bulsky Lake Natron in Tanzania is a truly bizarre and deadly body of water. Due to a unique combination of factors – high temperatures, evaporation, and a high concentration of sodium carbonate and other minerals – the lake becomes incredibly alkaline (extremely basic). This creates a petrifying effect, where animals unfortunate enough to enter the lake can be literally turned to stone over time.

Lake Natron is a real-life example of a place where the laws of chemistry can have a dramatic impact on living things. Can you think of other extreme environments on Earth (like hydrothermal vents or volcanic hot springs) that support unique life forms? Would you be brave enough to visit a place like Lake Natron, knowing the potential dangers?

ncG1vNJzZmicmaiwtr%2FSZ52am6Soe6%2Bx02iroaqVlrG0e9OhnKudo2KubrjApJxmoZ5irqe%2ByJyYZqyYlsFuuMitnKuZnKHGbsDUq6WsZZGjtq6ty6xkraddqMGwusRnaG9rYWQ%3D

Reinaldo Massengill

Update: 2024-01-20