'Mountain Of God' On The Verge Of Eruption, Volcano Could Destroy Anthropological Sites

[Judi Lynn]

BY GAYATHRI ANURADHA ON 07/14/17 AT 7:45 AM


An active volcano in northeastern Tanzania, known in the local language as the “Mountain of God,” has recently been showing signs of eruption anytime soon, according to National Geographic.

Ol Doinyo Lengai, the 7,650-foot-tall peak is the only active volcano on the Earth that erupts with a carbonatite, a type of igneous rock rich in carbonates such as calcite and dolomite. The volcano is also unique because of the type of carbonatite that is brought to its surface. Called natrocarbonatite, the Ol Doinyo Lengai igneous rock is rich in sodium and potassium.

It is about 70 miles from the city of Arusha in Tanzania and is known for its proximity to some of the world’s most important paleoanthropological sites. These include a site in Laetoli where the footprints made by an early human ancestor that roamed Africa more than 3.6 million years ago were discovered, providing crucial evidence that walking on two legs was picked up early in the human lineage. Another area in danger is a site called Engare Sero where similar footprints called a “dance hall” of Homo sapiens were found.

The peak, known for its bizarrely thin, silvery lava, is a place of pilgrimage for the pastoralist ethnic group of Maasai, who travel there to entreat their god Engai for rain, cattle, and children.

More:
http://www.ibtimes.com/mountain-god-verge-eruption-volcano-could-destroy-anthropological-sites-2565815





More images of Ol Doinyo Lengai:
https://results.searchlock.com/search/?q=Ol+Doinyo+Lengai&slr=1&tbm=isch&sr=pageredir-google&chnm=store