There are many mysterious places on our planet that people bypass. Mystical corners have a bad reputation, but curious tourists visit the anomalous zones, trying to unravel their mysteries on their own. The abandoned island of Irrevocable, located in the north of Kenya, has acquired such an ominous glory.
Lake Rudolph, which is the largest body of water in Africa, is located next to an uninhabited local attraction that has claimed the lives of many people. Before starting a story about Lake Rudolf, let's stop at a mysterious island where no one has lived for many years.
The mystery of missing scientists
A strange incident happened in 1935, when an ethnographic expedition from Great Britain was working in Kenya. Two scientists who arrived on the island to study the life of the tribe that lived here every day gave signals to their colleagues. After they stopped, the worried rescue team turned the area over.upside down, but did not even find traces of the presence of scientists. The natives joined the search, but all was in vain. Many years have passed, and the mystery of the disappearance of people has not yet been solved.
Disappearances continue
Over time, this strange story was forgotten, and new inhabitants appeared on a small island, tired of fighting with their neighbors. Members of the Elmolo tribe built a whole village, but one day their relatives, who arrived to visit their loved ones, did not find anyone. It seemed that all the inhabitants left the island overnight, without taking anything of value with them.
Two centuries ago, members of the German and Dutch expeditions disappeared, and in 1982, a couple of newlyweds who arrived here on vacation disappear without a trace.
Abandoned Island
Experts, who were engaged in unraveling the disappearance of several dozen people, found that the first mention of mysterious disappearances dates back to the 17th century, when natives settled on a desert island. They were incredibly surprised by the oppressive silence: there were no birds or animals, only incomprehensible groans were heard on the full moon. Later, the inhabitants found that they could not get to some parts of the island because of the woven trees that blocked the way. Then the natives began to die due to absurd accidents, and a few days before the death of the inhabitants, incomprehensible visions visited. They were frightened by creepy creatures that only vaguely resemble humans.
Soon the monsters materialized: they suddenly appeared in front of the natives, and those who could not escape disappearedforever and ever. When the relatives, having heard about the incidents, visited the village, they did not find a single person. The island was completely empty.
Unanswered questions
Scientists have suggested that the whole point is in the volcanic origin of the island: poisonous vapors released through crevices in the ground affect the psyche of people falling into real madness and killing themselves. However, where their bodies go, no one can explain. And the locals believe that here are the gates to another dimension.
A body of water that looks more like a sea
Lake Rudolph, in the middle of which an island abandoned by people, is located in Africa. Most of it is located in Kenya, and only the northern section belongs to Ethiopia. Having a tectonic origin, the reservoir is considered the largest in the desert. Its size is simply amazing, and tourists who are not afraid of the notoriety of this area often confuse it with the sea.
Natural attraction, the area of which exceeds 6.4 thousand square kilometers, was discovered in 1888 by the traveler S. Teleki, who named it after the Austro-Hungarian Crown Prince. Lake Rudolph really resembles a sea coast with high waves and long sandy beaches. Severe storms that occur often enough turn into a terrible element.
Later, when Kenya gained independence, the reservoir was renamed in honor of one of the tribes that had long lived on its territory, and was namedTurkana (Lake Turkana). True, on many geographical maps it is indicated under the former name.
Throughout the long history of its existence, the level of the natural phenomenon has changed: the deep Rudolph Lake, which is located in the east of the Great Rift Valley, overflowed up to 400 kilometers in length and shrunk to its present size. It was surrounded by constantly erupting volcanoes, and the ash settled in a thick layer on the bottom. Around the lake, you can see bas alt deposits of the most bizarre forms, which are reminiscent of the fact that they were once hot lava flows.
Lake Rudolph: s alty or fresh?
Kenyan attraction is a closed lake. Water stagnates in it, as a result of which s alts are not carried away by underground sources. It is undrinkable, and its rich jade hue, according to scientists, is associated with a high concentration of s alts.
Peaceful crocodiles
The main feature of the lake are crocodiles, which have a rather good-natured disposition. Fierce looking and reaching five meters in length, they do not rush at tourists. Predators, whose number has exceeded 12 thousand individuals, are not touched by hunters, and the thing is that their skin is not suitable for sewing handbags or shoes. Lake Rudolph is s alty, and because of the huge amount of sodium carbonate, ugly growths have appeared on the skin of reptiles.
Amazing find
The main sensation was the find of archaeologists who discovered a natural pearl on the northern coastthe remains of the oldest man on earth, who lived several million years ago and even then moved on two, not four limbs.
So the famous lake Rudolf gained even more popularity. This area, which has become an archaeological site, was named Koobi Fora, and now scientists continue to explore it. Valuable artifacts found in the area have been donated to the National Museum of Kenya.
Environmental Issues
Lake Rudolph in Africa, located in the middle of the desert, may soon disappear. The Ethiopian government is building a dam on the river that feeds the reservoir. Scientists predict with regret that after a large-scale construction, humanity will face another ecological disaster.
The most unusual place on earth
In our article, we learned where Lake Rudolph is located and what secrets the nearby island hides. The dead desert landscape frightens and delights tourists. Many parts of the coast, where there is no vegetation, are covered with hardened black lava.
However, the magnificent view of the lake is a real treat for the eyes. The hard-to-reach UNESCO-protected site is adored by wildlife enthusiasts who say it's one of the most unusual places in the world.