Diatomaceous earth is a light colored soft friable siliceous sedimentary rock. It consist of opal or quartz that formed the siliceous walls of diatoms, a microscopic single-celled plant. The rocks are mined for the diatomaceous earth that has high surface area, high absorptive capacity, and chemical stabilty, properties that find use as filters, and as extenders in paint, rubber, and plastics. About 130 miles northwest of Nairobi. Ol Karia Geothermal Field, near Lake Naivasha, about 80 miles northwest of Nairobi.
Electrical energy is generated from the steam harnessed into pipes from underground water courses.
The natural water has been heated by the presence of magma and heated rocks at depth. The Tertiary volcanic rocks are rhyolites, alkali rhyolites, and pyroclastics.