Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, located in northern Tanzania on the East African Rift, is known for spewing unusual black lava rich in carbonate minerals, rather than the typical red hot silicate lava found in most volcanoes. The lava from Ol Doinyo Lengai is viscous like motor oil and maintains its liquid state at a relatively low temperature of 540 degrees Celsius.
This unique volcano is the only known active volcano on Earth to erupt this type of carbon-based lava, known as natrocarbonatite lava. Despite its low silicate content, the lava from Ol Doinyo Lengai can still erupt violently, with streams of liquid lava filled with dissolved gases that bubble like carbonated water.
At a height of 2,962 meters, Ol Doinyo Lengai has two vents, but only the northern vent is active. The most recent eruption began in April 2017 and has been ongoing as of March 2024. Scientists studying the volcano’s unique lava flow have found that the gases spewed from Ol Doinyo Lengai are similar to those found at mid-ocean ridges.
The East African Rift where Ol Doinyo Lengai is located has been tectonically active for millions of years and continues to be a fascinating geological hotspot. The rift, which is slowly pulling apart the African plate, could eventually create a new ocean between East Africa and the rest of the continent. In addition to Ol Doinyo Lengai, the East African Rift has also given rise to other towering mountains in the region, such as Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya.