Harold Wycoff
South Tufa, Mono Lake
These Tufa were actually formed underwater. Their ages range from about 300 to 13,000 years old. They were formed as underground fresh water, carrying calcium, seeped up through the lake bottom and combined with the carbonate lake water. The product of this combination was limestone. As the lake level has declined over the years, the Tufa have become exposed to air at which point they stopped growing. Though fascinating to look at, Tufa are delicate. Please be careful and respectful of the area so that future visitors may enjoy this fascinating product of Nature, too.
Enjoy!
South Tufa, Mono Lake
These Tufa were actually formed underwater. Their ages range from about 300 to 13,000 years old. They were formed as underground fresh water, carrying calcium, seeped up through the lake bottom and combined with the carbonate lake water. The product of this combination was limestone. As the lake level has declined over the years, the Tufa have become exposed to air at which point they stopped growing. Though fascinating to look at, Tufa are delicate. Please be careful and respectful of the area so that future visitors may enjoy this fascinating product of Nature, too.
Enjoy!