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> Volcano Ol Doinyo Lengaï

Volcano Ol Doinyo Lengaï

author: Nasa/Novapix

reference: t-aftan-00003

Image Size 300 DPI: 20 * 15 cm

Volcano Ol Doinyo Lengaï is an active volcano located in Tanzania in the great rift valley. It is the only known volcano producing carbonatite. The lava of Ol Doinyo Lengai is extremely cool (500–600° C, compared to 1,160° C for typical basaltic lava) and relatively fluid. Ol Doinyo Lengai alternates between eruptions of liquid lava that form lava lakes and fountains (called effusive eruptions) and explosive eruptions that build large cinder and ash cones. The new cone and crater are clearly visible in the center of the image acquired by satellite EO-1 on September 12, 2009. The dark spot in the crater may be fresh lava erupted from a new volcanic vent. Gray ash covers the volcano and much of the surrounding landscape.

Keywords for this photo:

2009 - AFRICA - EARTH - EARTH FROM SPACE - EO-1 - OL DOINYO LENGAI - RIFT - SATELLITE IMAGE - TANZANIA - VOLCANO -