Natronsee. East African Rift. A map of East Africa showing some of the historically active volcanoes (as red triangles) and the Afar Triangle (shaded at the center), which is a so-called triple junction (or triple point) where three plates are pulling away from one another: the Arabian Plate and two parts of the African Plate—the Nubian and Somali—splitting along the East African Rift Zone.
The East African Rift (EAR) is an active continental rift zone in East Africa. The EAR began developing around the onset of the Miocene, 22-25 million years ago.[1] In the past, it was considered to be part of a larger Great Rift Valley that extended north to Asia Minor. Extent[edit] A series of distinct rift basins, the East African Rift System extends over thousands of kilometers.[3] The EAR consists of two main branches.
Rift Valley lakes. View over Lake Turkana The Rift Valley lakes are a group of lakes in the East African Rift which runs through the whole eastern side of the African continent from north to south.
These lakes include some of the oldest, largest and deepest lakes in the world, and many are freshwater ecoregions of great biodiversity, while others are alkaline "soda lakes" supporting highly specialised organisms. The Rift Valley lakes are well known for the evolution of at least 800 cichlid fish species that live in their waters. More species will be discovered.[1] Lake Natron. The southern half of Lake Natron (top).
Fault scarps and the Gelai Volcano can also be seen. Numerous near-white salt-crust "rafts" pepper the shallowest parts of the lake (inset). Natronsee (Tansania) This Lake In Tanzania Has A Deadly Secret. These Shocking Photos Show The Haunting Reality. Tanzania’s Lake Natron is one of the most serene lakes in all of Africa, but it’s also the source of some of the most eerie photographs ever captured.
You see, Lake Natron has a very deadly secret, it turns any animal it touches to stone. This incredibly rare phenomenon is caused by the chemical makeup of the lake, the alkalinity of Lake Natron varies between pH 9 and pH 10.5. Which is so caustic it burns the skin and eyes of animals that get too close to the water, leaving behind something straight out of a horror film, as can be seen in these incredible shots captured by photographer Nick Brandt for his book, Across the Ravaged Land.
Calcified Fish Eagle Calcified Caped Dove.