These strange spires and knobs were formed when fresh water springs containing calcium bubbled up through the carbonate rich water of Mono Lake. Located in the Eastern Sierras of California, Mono Lake, one of the oldest lakes in North America (at least 760,000 years) has no outlet. As a result, after thousands of years of mineral rich streams feeding into it, the mineral content has risen to almost 10 percent. Due to the high alkaline content, fish can not live in these waters. But it's loaded with millions of brine shrimp.
"Tufa Towers" © Kathy Dunham 2009
