Tufas at Sunrise, Mono Lake, California

Several tufa columns are turned golden by the rising sun at Mono Lake, California. Tufa forms only underwater. When calcium-rich springs flow up through the lake bottom, the calcium bonds to the carbonates in the lake water, forming calcium carbonate, a type of limestone. The solid material builds on itself, gradually forming a tufa tower. The tufa towers form only underwater; they were exposed when the lake was drained to provide drinking water for cities. After environmental groups took legal action, less water is being diverted for cities and the lake is slowly refilling.

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Several tufa columns are turned golden by the rising sun at Mono Lake, California. Tufa forms only underwater. When calcium-rich springs flow up through the lake bottom, the calcium bonds to the carbonates in the lake water, forming calcium carbonate, a type of limestone. The solid material builds on itself, gradually forming a tufa tower. The tufa towers form only underwater; they were exposed when the lake was drained to provide drinking water for cities. After environmental groups took legal action, less water is being diverted for cities and the lake is slowly refilling.