A black lava flow advances across the floor of Tanzania's Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano on June 27, 1988. The white-colored area in the foreground is not covered with snow, but is the surface of a recently cooled lava flow. The unusual carbonatitic (sodium carbonate) chemistry of flows from this volcano produces lava flows that are initially black, but have white edges within a few hours and alter to an entirely white surface within 48 hours.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1988.

Copyrighted image used with permission. All Rights Reserved. Contact photographer for any usage requests.

Ol Doinyo Lengai