Darvin Atkeson
Sand Tufa of Mono Lake
This strange and beautiful rock formation is called a Sand Tufa. They are scattered in the desert sage surrounding Mono Lake on the Eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. They are formed when freshwater coming down from the Sierra mixes with the extremely salty brine water of Mono Lake. As the lake dries up, they are exposed to the surface where they begin the process of eroding back into the sand. Unfortunately they are extremely fragile and shouldn't be touched in any way.
© Darvin Atkeson
Sand Tufa of Mono Lake
This strange and beautiful rock formation is called a Sand Tufa. They are scattered in the desert sage surrounding Mono Lake on the Eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. They are formed when freshwater coming down from the Sierra mixes with the extremely salty brine water of Mono Lake. As the lake dries up, they are exposed to the surface where they begin the process of eroding back into the sand. Unfortunately they are extremely fragile and shouldn't be touched in any way.
© Darvin Atkeson