California landscapes: Tufas illumiated with red light, southern tufas, Mono Lake, California, USA.

Tufas illuminated with red light, South Tufa area, Mono Lake, California, USA. I stayed after sunset and painted the tufas red with a flashlight with a red filter while the shutter was open for several minutes. It is a strange landscape. You could be tricked in thinking it is on another planet. I think the red light enhances this sensation.

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 after 1941 when water diversions began. Water levels were allowed to rise again since 1994, but they are still about 2 m (9 ft) below the goal.

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Tufas illuminated with red light, South Tufa area, Mono Lake, California, USA