As if this is not enough, the bedrock of the lake is made up of highly alkaline trachyte volcanic material that has high levels of sodium. These two substances are very basic and raise the pH levels of the lake to more than 12. Another residue left behind is sodium sesquicarbonate dehydrate, which is otherwise known as trona. Natron’s scientific name is sodium carbonate decahydrate. As a result, a material called Natron is left behind. The high temperatures have caused high evaporation levels of the water from the lake. The poison of the lake is brought about by the high temperatures which, incidentally, are why the lake is called Natron. Why is Lake Natron Considered to be a 'Poisonous Lake'? If the rains come, it’s typically between May and December averaging around 800 millimeters annually with the scorching sun frequently raising the temperatures above 104⁰ Fahrenheit. The region around the lake does not receive much rainfall with irregular seasonal rains a common occurrence. Natron itself has a maximum width of 22 kilometres and a length of 57 kilometres.

The river has a depth of fewer than 10 feet with a varying width depending on the level of water. The river itself is not that big nor is it deep. Primarily, the lake is fed by the Ewaso Ng’iro River, which originates from the central region of Kenya and by springs that are rich in minerals. Natron is a soda and salty water lake very close to the Kenyan border in the Gregory Rift, which is the Eastern part of the East Africa Rift. Lake Natron is located in the Arusha region of Northern Tanzania.

Natron lake history