Ol Doinyo Lengai also has the coldest lava in the world, with temperatures ranging from 480°C to 590°C. Other volcanoes contain magma that reaches temperatures of 1200 degrees Celsius.
What explains the low temperature of lava?
The absence of silica chains in carbonaceous magma reduces its viscosity and structure, allowing it to erupt at low temperatures. Carbonate magma is composed primarily of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), calcium, carbon dioxide, and sodium, in contrast to silicate magma, which has high levels of silica (SiO2) found in most volcanoes.
Why black lava?
Carboniferous lavas are initially dark because of the minerals they are made of.After an eruption, black lava decomposes quickly upon contact with water or humid air, and turns white as it cools and oxidizes.
The hole is sinking and a disaster may occur.
Researchers confirmed that the crater is sinking, according to research published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. The land area, about 0.5 km in diameter, has been shrinking by 3.6 cm per year between 2013 and 2023. This conclusion was reached after analyzing satellite images used to document changes in the terrain around the Ol Doinyo Lengai summit.
