Tufa formation on Mono Lake, California, United States Dec. 5, 2024

Shaped by the slow passage of time, tufa—a type of porous limestone—emerges as one of nature"s most spectacular formations. While these towers can be found in various locations, today"s image highlights them at Mono Lake in Mono County, California. These stunning structures form when calcium-rich fresh water from several creeks and streams flows into the lake, mixing with its alkaline waters. Over centuries, this interaction causes calcium carbonate to accumulate, gradually creating tufa spires that rise above the lake’s surface.

© Susanna Patras/TANDEM Stills + Motion

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