Ol Doinyo Lengai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ol Doinyo Lengai (Oldoinyo Lengai) |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,188 m (10,459 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Ol Doinyo Lengai (Oldoinyo Lengai)
Location in Tanzania
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| Parent range | East African Rift |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
| Last eruption | 2019 |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Scramble |
Ol Doinyo Lengai is a special volcano found in Tanzania, a country in Africa. It stands about 2,960 meters (9,711 feet) tall. Its name means Mountain of God in the Maasai language, which is spoken by local people. This volcano is part of the Great Rift Valley, a huge crack in the Earth's surface.
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What Makes Ol Doinyo Lengai Unique?
Ol Doinyo Lengai is the only volcano in the world that erupts a very unusual type of rock called carbonatite. Most volcanoes erupt lava made of silicate rocks, which are thick and gooey. But Ol Doinyo Lengai's lava is different.
Understanding Carbonatite Lava
Carbonatite lava is made mostly of carbonate minerals. This makes it much cooler and more liquid than regular lava. When it first comes out, it looks black, but it quickly turns white or gray as it cools down. This unique lava flows more like mud than thick syrup.
How Ol Doinyo Lengai Erupts
Ol Doinyo Lengai has had many eruptions over the years. Its last known eruption was in 2019. Sometimes, it has quiet eruptions where lava flows slowly. Other times, it can have explosive eruptions, sending ash and steam high into the sky. These explosions can change the shape of the volcano's top, called the crater.
Exploring the Volcano's Surroundings
Ol Doinyo Lengai is located in a beautiful part of Tanzania. Nearby is Lake Natron, which is famous for its bright red color and for being a breeding ground for flamingos. The area around the volcano is also home to various wildlife.
Climbing Ol Doinyo Lengai
Climbing Ol Doinyo Lengai is a challenging adventure. The easiest way to get to the top is by scrambling, which means climbing over rocks and rough terrain. Many people climb at night to avoid the hot sun and to see the sunrise from the summit. From the top, you can see amazing views of the surrounding landscape and sometimes even glowing lava in the crater.
Images for kids
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Ol Doinyo Lengai after an explosive eruption.
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Image of the volcano sending a plume of ash and steam southward.
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Aerial photo of Oldoinyo Lengai in 2011.
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Ol Doinyo Lengai in October 2011.
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Image of 1966 eruption
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Solidified lava in the crater of Ol Doinyo Lengai.
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Crater of Ol Doinyo Lengai in January 2011.
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