Ol Doinyo Lengai

During the eruption of 1966

In the language of the Maasai Ol Doinyo Lengai means as much as the mountain of God. The approximately 2960 meters high volcano is for the Maasai, the seat of their god Engai and volcanic eruptions symbolize the wrath of God.

Volcanism

The Ol Doinyo Lengai is the world's only active volcano, the Karbonatitlava promotes. This lava is very fluid, is about the viscosity of water. Recently solidified lava has a dark color, which quickly turns into a light beige. The Natrokarbonatit Lava ( Na2CO3) of this volcano reached between 491 ° C and up to 590 ° C in comparison to other volcanoes lava a relatively low temperature, but originates from the mantle.

The main funding activity takes place in a crater lake area, which is filled with the eruption products. The level of filling is subject to constant change. The level of Karbonatitlava may suddenly sink and rise again. There are constantly forming gas bubbles with up to 3 m in diameter. Often a lava flow is promoted above the crater rim. At smaller exit points of the lava, steep cone formed with up to a few meters, so-called Hornitos.

In July 2007 there was a major eruption with kilometer high ash ejection that led to the evacuation of the surrounding area and the summit area of the volcano massively redesigned. The explosive eruptions lasted until 2008 and formed a 100 m deep and equipped with steep walls crater. The vegetation is itself largely disappeared on the mountain flanks.

In the crater there are several places where the typical Karbonatitlava is ejected and there have already formed smaller Hornitos. If the activity continues, the crater over the years could fill up again. Currently the descent is no longer possible in the crater.

Routes to the summit

The volcano is rarely climbed due to the remote location and lack of infrastructure. The climb is technically simple, but very tiring because it runs without displacement and in the upper range of up to 45 ° steep lava channels on the western flank of the volcano. Up to the crater rim approximately 1600 meters of altitude to overcome, to the highest point on the southern old crater rim there are a further 100 m. Because of the high daytime temperatures start climbing mostly at night.

Pictures

Little stove or " hornito " in the volcano crater, August 2001

View into the crater before the eruption in 2007, November 2006

View of the newly formed crater in January 2011

Discharge point for lava in the crater, January 2011