Correction 10/9/2013: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Lake Natron was 402 miles wide. The lake is 402 square miles.

A lake in Tanzania has come into the spotlight recently thanks to a series of eerie photographs released by photographer Nick Brandt. In his book, “Across the Ravaged Land,” Brandt shows the world what happens to some wildlife when it’s submerged Lake Natron, and it’s not pretty.

But how did it happen?

Dr. David Harper is a professor at the University of Leicester who has studied wildlife at Lake Natron. He said it’s a lethal equation: the regional environment plus the composition and characteristics of the lake equals certain death for winged animals that accidently come in contact with it.

First, the lake is very large – 402 square miles – and birds, bats and other flying critters can’t always make it across.