Tufa towers
White limestone.
Carol M. Highsmith — Public domain · Alec Perkins from Hoboken, USA — CC BY 2.0 · Renzootjes — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Nandaro — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Nandaro — CC BY-SA 3.0
Mono Lake is a saline soda lake in Mono County, California, east of the Sierra Nevada, and its South Tufa area lies on the southern shore about 3 km from the town of Lee Vining in a straight line. It is known for strange limestone towers that rise from its water. The lake formed at least 760,000 years ago in a closed basin with no outlet to the sea, so salts build up and make the water alkaline. Brine shrimp thrive in huge numbers, making it vital habitat for around two million migratory birds a year. The tufa towers are now protected in a state natural reserve. The tufa towers form from limestone where calcium-rich spring water seeps up through the lake bed and meets the alkaline lake water. They grew underwater over decades and centuries, then emerged as the lake level fell, and today they stand on the shore and in the water like white towers and castles, reflected in the calm lake with the Sierra behind. At South Tufa, visitors follow a short trail among the towers down to the water's edge. The lake also holds two volcanic islands. Sunrise and sunset are the best times for photos, and the area is exposed to sun and wind.
White limestone.
Two million a year.
In the background.
South Tufa area, near Lee Vining, Mono County, California, United States
At South Tufa on the southern shore.
Sunrise or sunset.