The Serengeti National Park is located in Tanzania on eastern side of the African continent, between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Equator. The region was originally created by the lava flows of volcanoes found on the park, as well as surrounding volcanoes. The lava caused the land over the already existing granite to rise, as well as created a cooler climate than one would expect with the park being so close to the Equator. 

The only active volcano in the Serengeti National Park is the Ol Doinyo Lengai, and the last eruption was in 1983. This volcano is a stratovolcano and produces natrocarbonatite lava, which has the lowest viscosity of any lava and is very high in sodium; this is the only active volcano to produce this type of lava. This lava hardens very quickly once it hits the surface, and the temperature drops so rapidly that a spoon can be used to scoop it up. The tiny drops of lava that spew from the vents harden so rapidly they are completely solidified within seconds and shatter upon hitting the ground. 

Ol Doinyo Lengai

 The most common rocks seen here are called kopjes, and they are giant rocks made of granite that used to be the tops of various mountains that were buried by volcanic ash and lava flow. 

An elephant standing on a kopje in the Serengeti National Park.

There are two lakes found in the park; Lake Lagaja and Lake Magadi. Both are saline lakes, meaning they have high levels of salt contained within the water. This can be due to volcanic ash, mineral springs, or both. 

Lake Magadi in Tanzania within the park.

As for affecting people, this area has not been inhabited by humans since the late 1800’s when the cattle were killed off due to a disease known as Rinderpest, thus leaving the lions only humans to hunt, causing them to vacate. The region was turned into a national park in 1929.

Sources for photos and information found at:

sensesofwildness.com

gorp.com

nationalgeographic.com

publicdomainpictures.com

bioexploration.com

kids.britannica.com