Ol Doinyo Lengai - the Strangest Volcano

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Ol Doinyo Lengai - the Strangest Volcano
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1214 W: 0 N: 4502] (13166)
Genre: Landscapes
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2001-09-10
Categories: Mountain
Camera: Canon EOS 1vHS, Canon 24-70 mm f 2,8 L-USM, Fuji Provia 100
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Earth from Above, Geological Wonders [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-03-07 7:54
Viewed: 589
Points: 52
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is another posting for my 'Earth From Above' Theme. It is a scanned slide and I am posting it for what it shows rather than for any photographic merit. This volcano erupts black lava, which becomes white when it cools (see below) - so the white streaks are lava! If you look at the crater you can see blck streaks on the floor - this was erupted a few hours before. The photograph is level - look at the crater - the image does appear slanted because of the remnants of an older cone towering above the new crater (this is the bit on the left). This was taken from a light plane flying from the Serengeti (we had to shoo the wildebeest and zebra off the airstip) and Mt Kilimanjaro Airport.

Ol Doinyo Lengai is a volcano located in the north of Tanzania and is part of the volcanic system of the Great Rift Valley in Eastern Africa. It is located in the eastern Rift Valley, south of both Lake Natron and Kenya. It is unique among active volcanoes in that it produces natrocarbonatite lava, a unique occurrence of volcanic carbonatite. A few older extinct carbonatite volcanoes are located nearby, including Homa Mountain.

Whereas most lavas are rich in silicate minerals, the lava of Ol Doinyo Lengai is rich in the rare sodium and potassium carbonates, nyerereite and gregoryite. Due to this unusual composition, the lava is erupted at relatively low temperatures (approximately 500-600 degrees Celsius). This temperature is so low that the molten lava appears black in sunlight, rather than having the red glow common to most lavas. It is also much more fluid than silicate lavas. The sodium and potassium carbonate minerals of the lavas formed by Ol Doinyo Lengai are unstable at the Earth's surface and susceptible to rapid weathering, quickly turning from black to grey in color. The resulting volcanic landscape is different from any other in the world. The chemical makeup of the lava has been compared to dish soap.

"Ol Doinyo Lengai" means "Mountain of God" in the language of the native Maasai people.

The record of constant eruptions in the mountain goes way back to 1883, and that similar flows were recorded between 1904 and 1910 and again between 1913 and 1915. A major eruption took place in June 1917, which resulted in volcanic ash being deposited about 48 kilometres away.

A similar eruption took place for several months in 1926 and between July and December of 1940, resulting in the ash being deposited as far as Loliondo, which is 100 kilometres away. Several minor eruptions of lava were observed in 1954, 1955, 1958 the early 1960s.

In modern times, Ol donyo Lengai erupted on August 14, 1966. Two geologists — J B Dawson and G C Clark — who visited the crater a week later, reported seeing “a thick column of black ash” that rose for approximately three thousand feet above the volcano and drifted away northwards towards Lake Natron. When the two climbed the cone-shaped vent, they reported seeing a continuous discharge of gas and whitish-grey ash and dust from the centre of the pit.

Volcanic activity in the mountain has caused daily earth tremors in Kenya and Tanzania beginning on the July 12, 2007. The latest to hit parts of Nairobi city was recorded on July 18, 2007 at 8.30pm (Kenyan Time). The strongest tremor has measured 6.0 on the Richter scale. Geologists suspect that the sudden increase of tremors is indicative of the movement of magma through the Ol Doinyo Lengai. The volcano finally erupted on September 4, 2007, sending a plume of ash and steam at least 18 kilometers downwind and covering the north and west flanks in fresh lava flows. The eruption has continued intermittently into 2008, as of the end of February it was reported that the eruption appeared to be gathering strength.
PaulH, ellis49, jaycee, horia, Luis52, boreocypriensis, nglen, matatur, CeltickRanger, rousettus, NinaM, Necipp, eqshannon, Adanac, arfer, Evelynn, albert, vanderschelden, Argus, xTauruSx, lovenature, anel, Alex99, lgfoto has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To xTauruSx: ThanksJamesp 1 03-09 23:35
To Evelynn: Explosive volcanoesJamesp 1 03-09 15:50
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 976 W: 17 N: 2581] (9338)
  • [2008-03-07 8:16]

Hi James,
very cool shot, i've never heard of white lava before but your explaination makes sense! This is such a primitive looking landscape. There's a huge feeling of height and space here - the way you've framed it including alot of the far off hills behind works very well. Seems it might be due to blow again then - i'll be keeping an eye on the news for it!
Thanks for sharing another great shot, well done and have a good weekend.
Paul

Hi James,
this is something fantastic, never heard of white lava.
The picture is beautiful, almost a 3-D effect.
I like the POV, deep and details here.
Very well done.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1683 W: 8 N: 4104] (13155)
  • [2008-03-07 8:37]

Hi James,

You do the most exciting things and post the most interesting photos. I am so glad you write excellent notes - I am really learning so much from you. This volcano is wonderful with an amazing 3D effect. I never knew that the black lava turns white when cooled.

Jane

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2072 W: 218 N: 3601] (11746)
  • [2008-03-07 8:37]

Hi James

Another fascinating view from above from you, my friend!
It's really interesting what you said in your note - about the chemical composition of this particular lava - and it really sets this place apart from any other.
It also makes it a unique and very photogenic one due to the very interesting and diverse color visible on its sides.
Very well taken and presented!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

Hello James,
Yes, very impressive and unique to see black lava turned to white after cooled! much appreciated for sharing this above photo that we have a chance to view it by our own eyes! the notes is so important for gaining the knowledge of nature once again
well captured with good sharpness, warm colour and details in the shot
have a wonderful weekend, james!
Tony

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1031 W: 5 N: 2729] (9858)
  • [2008-03-07 10:11]

Hola James.
I have seen so many wonderful Photos from You. This one has an excellent POV. Great natural colors and the note is also interesting for me to learn about those plases that You are working.
TFS My friend.
Luis52.

Hi Friend James,

Wonderful capture of this volcano my friend! Also your notes excellent and very useful. TFS.
Cheers,
Bayram

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1866 W: 2 N: 4825] (18158)
  • [2008-03-07 11:45]

Hi James. Thanks for the interesting notes to go with this very good picture of the volcano. amazing patterns and colour you were able to capture. once again only to be seen from above. well done tFS.
Nick.

Have a good weekend.

Hello James,
I am very pleasure to see your nice theme. This volcano of Ol Doinyo Lengai is really very strange since white lava. Similarly its name too. Great capture from air. Notes very nice. Nice to read them. TFS, well done my friend
Ahmet

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 549 W: 0 N: 1327] (4331)
  • [2008-03-07 15:19]

What a great life of travelling James, fantastic. You should writed books about your peregrinations all through the world, I am sure it would be interesting. The picture is a great picture, the colours, the sharpness, everything talks about the subject. And what an interesting note, every time I read your notes I learn so much. Thank you!

francine

  • Great 
  • Necipp Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1156 W: 15 N: 2096] (12384)
  • [2008-03-07 16:05]

Hello James another awsome location the details you caught are excellent considering it was from scan. Good angle and well composed shot. tfs rgds Necip

You do lead an exciting life....next time you are in eastern Washington State, perhaps you could come and lecture with us at the university! Very nice image..and rarely captured from this angle
Bob

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1043 W: 1 N: 4027] (13244)
  • [2008-03-07 20:42]

Hello James,
Desolute looking landscape well captured. Another great learning post for me with your excellent notes and fine image, thank you James.
Rick

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2714 W: 67 N: 9354] (29168)
  • [2008-03-07 21:51]

Hello James

Another stellar aerial view.
The POV is amazing.
Excellent clarity with lovely natural colouration.
Well composed in the frame.
Once again an informative posting.
TFS

Rob

I assume this isn't one of the explosive types of volcanoes??? You do end up in some interesting places at opportune times. Interesting note.

TFS
Evelynn ; )

Strange indeed James, never saw or heard of a light colored lava before. A unique landscape perfectly conveyed my friend.
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1549 W: 242 N: 5074] (17833)
  • [2008-03-08 3:41]

White lava? That's new to me!
Impressive image of an impressive scene.
Must have been awesome seeing that!
Great composition.
Superb detail.
Nice work James.
Cheers,
Joe

Hi James,
Impressive and unusual view
Good separation between the volcano and the BG really gives a 3D effect!
Well done
TFS
Albert

hello James

superbe shot from the airs, i love your POV showing that moutain
and the moutains of the bakcground, excellent DOF,
excellent luminosity of the image, i love to see from higher
the clouds that are lower, excellent sharpness and details, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1261 W: 103 N: 4294] (19299)
  • [2008-03-08 6:47]

Hello James, that's a fantastic shot of this volcano! So sharp and full of great details, very well done my friend, thanks!

Mario

Hello James,
This Ol Doinyo Lengai is apparently a pretty cool fellow.
Must have been some kind of experience to fly around it...what a view!
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2400 W: 135 N: 6669] (20697)
  • [2008-03-08 7:45]

Hello James,
Though this scanned slide is interesting for the laval colours it shows on this Rift Valley volcano, it raised a lot of questions for the uninitiated like myself and I am grateful to be able to read your informative and educational note. That's what this site is all about and I thank you for this contribution.
Best wishes, Ivan

Excellent landscape, James! Great colour and details, nicely framed. TFS!
Deniz

Hello James
...so interesting! I've never heard of black lava turning white. I really love all your photo's James. I'm sure you have photos from more countries than anyone else on TN. Well done! Keep up the great work by posting more interesting and educational images.
Janice

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1080 W: 0 N: 1664] (7196)
  • [2008-03-11 3:43]

Hello james,
My son is just studying volcanism at high school and I could show him your picture. Amazing to see that the black lava turned into white. You always bring so extraordinary shots with a high scientific and knowledge value. Thanks for it.
Best regards
Anne

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2931 W: 145 N: 4258] (13759)
  • [2008-03-11 10:36]

Hi James.
Once more fantastic picture form unusual POV. Subject is amazing as well as the terrific quality of reproduction. Even small clouds appeared in the necessary place during necessary time. Bravo and my congratulations on so outstanding and impressive picture.
Alexei.

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