1. The Water Is Chemically Similar to Mummification Fluid
Lake Natron gets its name from natron, a naturally occurring mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. These same compounds were used in ancient Egypt to mummify the dead.
What makes the lake even more dangerous is its location next to the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai, which spews rare natrocarbonatite lava. The lava flows into the lake, giving it extreme alkaline levels of up to pH 10.5, similar to ammonia. The result is a salty, corrosive soup that can preserve animals almost perfectly.
