California landscapes: Tufas at Southern Tufas, Mono Lake, California, USA.

Tufas at South Tufa area, Mono Lake, California, USA. I made this black and white image with a neutral density filter and long exposure time early in the morning. Tufas are formed when underwater springs rich in calcium mix with lake water rich in carbonates. As a result calcium carbonate-limestone is formed around the spring. In time, the deposits grow into rocks and towers. This process only takes place underwater. The tufas at Mono Lake are exposed because water levels dropped when water diversions began in 1941. Since 1994 water levels are allowed to rise again, but they are still about 2 m (9 ft) below the goal.

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Tufas at Southern Tufas, Mono Lake, California, USA