Researchers from the Pennsylvania State University have found out that the Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano in Tanzania has been rapidly going underground for the past 10 years. The respective research was published in the scientific journal Geophysical Research Letters (GRL).

The Ol Doinyo Lengai is the only volcano in the world that actively erupts carbonatite lava; an extremely viscous type of magma that is rich in calcium and sodium, but poor in silicon. As a result, carbonatite magma flows like ordinary water.

Satellite data showed that the Ol Doinyo Lengai is sinking underground at a rate of about 3.6 centimeters per year. Between 2013 and 2023, the 2,963-meter-high volcano went down by 36 centimeters.

The cause of this phenomenon may be the empty reservoir under one of the two craters of the volcano. According to the orbital photographs, the land area around the northern crater of the volcano is sinking at a constant rate, researchers note.

According to the study, this reservoir may be connected to a larger magma reservoir located three kilometers or more below the volcano.

Experts believe that the Ol Doinyo Lengai will continue to erupt and subside in the coming years.