Ol Doinyo Lengai, known as the “Mountain of God” in the Maasai language, is an active volcano located in Tanzania that has been showing signs of potential activity. Researchers have observed that the land surrounding the volcano has been bulging, indicating that magma may be accumulating in a shallow reservoir beneath the surface. This movement could be a precursor to an eruption, which poses a threat to the local population and could impact tourism and air traffic in the area.
The unique characteristic of Ol Doinyo Lengai is its ability to spew extremely runny lava that turns bone white when it dries. This lava, known as carbonatite lava, is thin and saturated with alkali elements such as calcium and sodium. When the lava flows and dries, the combination of calcium and carbon dioxide results in the formation of calcite and other carbonate minerals that quickly break down in the presence of water or humidity.
Satellite data has revealed that a magma reservoir located approximately 1.4 miles beneath the volcano’s crater began swelling in March 2022, causing the Earth’s crust above it to stretch. This rapid uplift continued steadily until December 2022, followed by a period of slower uplift that lasted through August 2023. These periods of uplift are significant as they could indicate an impending eruption, as explained by study lead author Ntambila Daud, a doctoral student at Virginia Tech.
To monitor the volcanic activity at Ol Doinyo Lengai, geoscientists at Virginia Tech installed satellite-connected sensors on the volcano’s flanks in 2016. These sensors track the periodic rise and fall of the crust, as well as detect earthquakes using a seismometer. By analyzing satellite data and building computer models, researchers were able to identify differences in the patterns of uplift between 2022 and 2023, with the former showing much faster rates of land deformation than the latter.
The recent study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, suggests that the bulging observed around Ol Doinyo Lengai may indicate magma accumulation in a shallow magma source or pressurization of a magmatic conduit beneath the volcano’s vent. This signals the potential for an eruption in the near future, which could have serious implications for the surrounding area. Reports indicate that lava flows erupted from the summit of Ol Doinyo Lengai as recently as 2021, underscoring the need for continued monitoring and research.
In conclusion, the findings of this study provide valuable insights into the dynamic magma plumbing system of Ol Doinyo Lengai and highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring to assess the volcano’s activity. With the potential for an eruption looming, it is essential for Tanzanian authorities to stay vigilant and prepare for any potential hazards that may arise. As the “Mountain of God” continues to exhibit signs of bulging, researchers will continue to study and analyze the data to better understand the volcano’s behavior and mitigate potential risks.