We have all heard of the legend of Medusa, be it attributed to the fact that we are mythology buffs or just avid readers of the Percy Jackson franchise. As petrifying as she is considered maligned, the Medusa we have seen in fiction is truly a sight to be reckoned with. With a head full of venomous snakes and eyes that can turn you to stone, in the spectator's case, she is quite literally so.

Given the same, having a subtle embodiment of her in real life can prove to be extremely intimidating to some. Fortunately though, the article is here to assure you otherwise.

Lake Natron, found in a dry part of Tanzania, is as close as we are, in getting to the Medusa we know and fear.

It has received its Medusa-like properties through the lava spewed by an adjacent volcano, popularly known as Ol Doinyo Lengai. This rare lava, increments to the affluent waters, a mixture of sodium and potassium carbonate, often referred to as 'natron'. In addition to corroborating  the name of the lake, natron has been considered as the perfect ingredient to the mummification process by Egyptian embalmers.

Notwithstanding the above facts, there is not much to be perturbed over, so long as you remember not to test the waters. The red color of the lake, attributed to high mineral content and residing algae, is the most glaringly obvious sign for you to keep that in memory.

Woefully, the birds and other small creatures taking a dive into this alkaline world, have  proven not to be as fortunate; with calcified stone-like corpses being found in and around the lake. As hapless as those creatures are, the very talented Nick Brandt has used this fact to his advantage by taking these animals and placing them in lifelike poses, before snapping their photos; the series titled 'Petrified'

He is not the only one to benefit from this, otherwise lethal lake. Despite a myriad of birds perishing in lake natron, one particular species has managed the opposite by thriving in it. Flamingoes, in contrast to other creatures, are unharmed by the cyanobacteria of the lake. More interesting is the fact that the presence of a different bacteria makes the lake, their food source.

The beautiful rosy hue of these creatures can be imputed to the consumption of the former bacteria. While talking about the flamingoes in respect to the lake, the popular idiom 'tickle someone pink' can be used ,not only metaphorically, but also literally so.

A human jumping into the unknown depths, may not be turned to stone as quickly as the birds or other creatures. They will, however, start to burn and be mummified slowly, only to be preserved from scavengers for years to come.

In conclusion, the next time you visit Tanzania, don't allow for the adrenaline to push you into this chemical cocktail. Rest assured, the consequences won't be pretty

‍