When we think about volcanoes, words like red-hot, boiling, bright, and glowing come to mind. However, there exists a volcano that defies these typical associations. Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano located at the southern end of Lake Natron in East Africa, is neither extremely hot nor bright and glowing.
Ol Doinyo Lengai sits on the tectonically active African Rift system. The name Ol Doinyo Lengai translates to ‘Bed of the God of Fire.’ The Masai people, native to this region, also call it the ‘Mountain of God.’ According to their beliefs, the African God Engai escaped to these mountains after being struck by an arrow from a hunter. The volcano rises to an elevation of 9,442 feet, and its lava resembles that of washing soda.
Unique Characteristics
This unique volcano emits carbon-based lava called natrocarbonatite lava. Black in color, this lava is relatively cool and flows with the consistency of motor oil. Interestingly, there is evidence suggesting that volcanoes on Venus also produce natrocarbonatite lava. Most volcanoes emit silicate-based lava, which has a melting point of over 900°C. In contrast, Ol Doinyo Lengai’s lava has relatively low silica content and an abundance of carbonate minerals, reducing its melting point to 540°C.
Human Interaction
There is a report of a Masai porter who fell into the crater. Despite being severely burned, he managed to climb out alive. The lack of silica makes this lava more viscous. While normal lava flows at an average speed of 30 km/h and can be easily outpaced by a human, the carbonate lava flows at a much greater speed.
Eruptions and Lava Behavior
Ol Doinyo Lengai is capable of erupting with intensity. When the volcano erupts, the colder lava cools quickly and reacts with the humidity in the air, turning the lava white and eventually disintegrating it into fine powder. The northern crater of this volcano is more active. The last eruption began in 2017 and, according to a March 2024 report, it is still bubbling.
Economic Significance
The lava from Ol Doinyo Lengai is incredibly rich in rare earth elements, which are essential for the production of electronic equipment. The unusual flow of this lava settles across the landscapes and appears almost like cracks and rivers. This characteristic makes Ol Doinyo Lengai not only geologically fascinating but also economically valuable due to the potential extraction of rare earth elements.
In conclusion, Ol Doinyo Lengai stands out as a unique and valuable volcano due to its cold, carbon-based lava and its rich deposits of rare earth elements. This volcano offers a remarkable contrast to the typical fiery images of volcanic activity and holds significant importance both scientifically and economically.
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