An up-close view of the red waters of Lake Natron in Tanzania March 6, 2017.

(NASA/USGS)

Tanzania's Lake Natron is "mostly inhospitable to life,"according to NASA, but the little life it does contain helps to turn its waters red.

A type of microorganism called haloarchaeais responsible for giving the lake's shallow waters their unique seasonal appearance, . The water is so vividly red that it can be spotted by satellites,as these recent images from March illustrate.

A large view of Lake Natron in Tanzania March 6, 2017.

(NASA/USGS)

Volcanicactivity in the region is responsible for the lake's harsh, saltywaters which only a few species can tolerate. The high salt content is caused by volcanoes, whichproducesodium carbonate and calcium carbonate that then ends up in the lakethrough anunderground system of faults and wells, NASA says.

DuringLake Natron's dry season the , resulting in the red appearance.

Interestingly, a "near threatened" type of flamingo also uses the lake as abecause the area provides protection from predators. are also able to withstand less salty parts of the lake.