"Mountain of God".

"Mountain of God".

Named Ol Doinyo Lengai – meaning “Mountain of God” in the local Maasai language, the volcano in Tanzania is the weirdest on Earth. 


It is the only active volcano known to erupt natro-carbonatite lava, not the usual melts based on silica. Its lava is of unusual black color what results from its composition and the comparably low temperature at which it erupts.

 While basalt based lava erupting from volcanos in Hawaii reach scorching 1100 degrees Celsius, the Mountain of God’s cough appears rather cool at about 510 degrees Celsius. 

Once the black lava gets in contact with moisture, it turns white. Looking at Ol Doinyo Lengai with unsuspecting eyes, you might think its peak is covered in snow, while in fact it is black lava turned white.

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