Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, Mono, CA., 1984. Mono Lake is a saline soda lake formed at least 760,000 years ago as a terminal lake in an endorheic basin. The lack of an outlet causes high levels of salts to accumulate in the lake which make its water alkaline. The desert lake has an unusually productive ecosystem based on brine shrimp, which thrive in its waters, and provides critical habitat for two million annual migratory birds that feed on the shrimp and alkali flies. Columns of limestone rise above the surface of Mono Lake primarily of calcium carbonate minerals.
Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, Mono, CA., 1984. Mono Lake is a saline soda lake formed at least 760,000 years ago as a terminal lake in an endorheic basin. The lack of an outlet causes high levels of salts to accumulate in the lake which make its water alkaline. The desert lake has an unusually productive ecosystem based on brine shrimp, which thrive in its waters, and provides critical habitat for two million annual migratory birds that feed on the shrimp and alkali flies. Columns of limestone rise above the surface of Mono Lake primarily of calcium carbonate minerals such as calcite (CaCO3). This type of limestone rock is referred to as tufa, which is a term used for limestone that forms in low to moderate temperatures.
Size: 4442px × 6621px
Location: Mono, CA., 1984.
Photo credit: © paul jones / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ca, formations, lake, limestone, mono, natural, reserve, saline, soda, state, tufa, usa
