Ol Doinyo Lengai - The most unique volcano in the world

Without the lava-red eruptions, the volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai in Africa spilled an impressive stream of black lava.

Over many generations, indigenous Maasai people in Tanzania (Middle East Africa) still call this active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai , in the dialect meaning Mountain of God - the mountain of gods. . From the time of Eng'ai, one of the Maasai gods, when she created the volcano she was probably in a bad mood.

The Maasai regard Eng'ai as the great god who created all things. She often appears with two images, black outwardly (Eng'ai Narok), tolerant and tolerant to Maasai people, but if the appearance is red (Eng'ai Nayokie) often brings disaster.

The only volcano Ol Doniyo Lengai still works in Tanzania.(Photo: ravpix / flickr)

Among the world's volcanoes, Ol Doinyo Lengai is quite unique. If volcanic eruptions are rich in silicate lava, O l Doinyo Lengai has lava content containing more than 50% carbonate minerals . The surface of this lava layer overflowed often surrounded by molten rock and then transformed into another form. Many people mistakenly believe this is marble. Although there are also some carbonate lava eruptions, Ol Doinyo Lengai is special in its own way. If you want to experience the completely unusual volcano, put Ol Doinyo Lengai in the list of future destinations.

Carbon and silicate erupted from the mouth Ol Doinyo Lengai is black and the temperature is only half that of a normal volcano. However, it can still "burn" everything with temperatures over 500 degrees C and then cool quickly when exposed to air. At night, people can also observe orange spots rising from the crater, not just black.

With many 'volcanic schools' , they regard Ol Doinyo Lengai as a 'toy volcano' due to moderate heat. Scientific delegations also regularly come here with the tourists to study and see the spectacular scenery created by mother nature. Lava looks more like soap bubbles than lava and you will feel you can use a spoon or spoon to scoop up as a souvenir.

A Hornito looked like a giant horn towering over a volcano.(Photo: Ric Lander / flickr)

Mountain climbers and lovers explore often walking in the path of hornitos (pointed towers created by erupting lava flows). These cone-shaped stone towers make many people excited and getting close to the volcano when it is active is a more fascinating experience.

Hornitos are made with the help of large amounts of carbon dioxide. It creates lava bubbles that are as big as a soccer ball, after being broken it slowly forms a foundation and gradually fills into a cone.

Each lava block erupted at Lengai is not too large, only about a meter wide and quickly cools when in the air. When it falls, it shatters for a moment.

The stream of lava flowing down to black makes people mistakenly believe it is mud. It is not difficult to measure the age of lava erupting at Lengai. They were originally pitch black, softly composed of ripples often called pahoehoe . Then depending on the content of the material inside, they can be changed to gray, brown or black. Existing on the surface for a few days, internal chemical changes take place when rain falls, the lava layer turns white and is more likely to break.

From generation to generation, Maasai women whose families gather at the foot of the volcano to hope Eng'ai will respond to prayers and give them children.

Many travelers who choose Ol Doniyo Lengai not only want to try to feel how hot their shoes are, but also because this is the only active volcano in Tanzania. This is also not a point for ordinary travelers because of its geographical location in the middle of a wilderness and there are no convenient places to visit such as Mount Kilimanjaor, Ngorongoro Crater sanctuary or Serengeti National Park.

From Arusha (420km from Dodoma), the nearest big town, takes nearly a day on the dirt road through the Maasai lands and the ostrich's living area, the turtleneck, the zebra can only be reached near Ol Doinyo Lengai. If departing from the resort below at midnight on the morning (1am), you will be able to reach the top of the mountain and watch the vase at the top of Rift valley. Many tourists choose to camp overnight or close to the foot of the mountain if they do not want to move once for the long journey.

Conical stone towers are made up of lava and gray lava flows down the volcanic slopes of Ol Doniyo Lengai.(Photo: Cw Anderson / flickr)

Impressive points from afar, visitors will easily recognize that the flow of flow into long streaks of gray color. In addition to admiring the strange volcano, you also have the opportunity to meet native Maasai people and learn about their unique life and culture.

Guests are advised to buy a day tour for about 100 USD per person, including climbing to the nearby lava eruption area and the journey to Lake Natron. Reservations are required for 3 days or more and most tours start in Arusha, 120km northwest of the mountain. It is also the center of travel companies (more than 140 companies) taking visitors to many places besides Ol Doinyo Lengai such as Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Kilimanjaro.