Lake Natron in Tanzania is one of the most hostile bodies of water on Earth, a caustic, blood-red lake so alkaline it can calcify the bodies of animals that die in it. In this episode we explore the strange chemistry behind Natron’s deadly reputation, why its waters glow red, and the surprising life that not only survives but thrives there — including the vast flocks of flamingos that depend on it. Discover how a lake that seems like a death trap is actually a critical breeding ground, and what separates the myth of the “petrifying” lake from the science.

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