The alkalinity of the lake can reach a pH of greater than 12. High levels of evaporation have left behind natron ( sodium carbonate decahydrate) and trona (sodium sesquicarbonate dihydrate). Temperatures at the lake are frequently above 40 ☌ (104 ☏). The surrounding area receives irregular seasonal rainfall, mainly between December and May totalling 800 millimetres (31 in) per year. The lake is a maximum of 57 kilometres (35 mi) long and 22 kilometres (14 mi) wide. It is quite shallow, less than three metres (9.8 ft) deep, and varies in width depending on its water level. The lake is fed principally by the Southern Ewaso Ng'iro River, which rises in central Kenya, and by mineral-rich hot springs. Numerous near-white salt-crust 'rafts' pepper the shallowest parts of the lake (inset). Fault scarps and the Gelai Volcano can also be seen. The lake's temperature can rise to 60 ☌ (140 ☏) in summer! There are also hot springs on its eastern shore.The southern half of Lake Natron (top). This red tinge to the water can even be seen from space! 6. The water of Lake Natron sometimes turns red (or orange-red) because of the algae that thrives in its hypersaline environment. The lake is actually the largest breeding ground in the world for lesser flamingoes! 5. Flamingoes thrive where others perishįlamingos aren't negatively affected by the bacteria in Lake Natron that harms most other birds.

This is a good environment for the growth of a kind of bacteria that damages the innards of the organisms that drink it. Lake Natron contains large salt, soda and magnesite deposits. Because the water coming into the lake leaches through the volcanic material of nearby Mt Ol Doinyo Lengai, the lake’s water is highly alkaline. The lake has no outlets, and receives most of its water from springs and episodic streams. Lake Natron receives only 400 mm of rain a year, and much of that is ‘phantom rain’ – rain that evaporates before hitting the surface. Here are some facts you'll want to share with others for the wow factor! 1.

Lake natron dangerous