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Tufa
Tufa is a soft, porous type of rock made mostly of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). It forms when mineral-rich freshwater, often from springs, flows into alkaline lakes or mixes with water of a different chemical makeup. This reaction causes calcium carbonate to precipitate—or settle out of the water—and build up over time into strange and beautiful formations. Tufa can take on a variety of shapes, including towers, ridges, and spires, and is especially common around lake margins where groundwater seeps upward. Mono Lake in California is one of the most famous places where large tufa formations can be seen above ground due to falling water levels. Because tufa is light and crumbly, it erodes easily, but its unique appearance makes it an important feature in desert geology and a striking reminder of the role water chemistry plays in shaping landscapes.
Notable tufa columns:
Trona Pinnacles
This eerie, fantastic landscape is one of the most unique geological features in the California desert. These other-worldly shapes are ...Mono Lake
Mono Lake, at an elevation of 6,382 feet has held water for over 760,000 years. Of volcanic origins, Mono Lake ...Also see:
Mono Lake Tufa
Mono Lake's tufa towers (pronounced "toofah") are spectacular examples of what nature can do with a few ...