![]() ![]() Lake Natron's petrified animals include birds, fish, and even bats, and they are incredibly well-preserved. This has resulted in the creation of some of the world's most bizarre and fascinating natural sculptures. The lake's high levels of sodium carbonate and other minerals cause the bodies of animals that drowned to become calcified and preserved. ![]() The most famous of these formations are the petrified animals that have been turned into stone by Lake Natron's mineral-rich waters. In fact, the lake's pH level can reach 10.5, which is comparable to household bleach. The water is so alkaline that it can burn the skin and eyes of animals that aren't used to it. The lake's high concentration of salt and other minerals gives it a bright red color. The color of the water is the first thing that visitors to Lake Natron notice. The organic material is completely replaced by minerals as the permineralization process continues, resulting in a petrified specimen. These minerals fill the spaces between the organism's cells, preserving the organism's original shape and form. Permineralization gradually replaces organic material with minerals such as silica, calcite, or pyrite. This process is known as permineralization. Minerals from the surrounding rock or sediment begin to seep into the organic material over time, eventually replacing the original material on a cellular level. The organic material is first buried by sediment or volcanic ash, which protects it from decay and exposure to the elements. There are several steps involved in the process of petrifaction. ![]()
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