Tufa formation on Mono Lake, California, United States Dec. 5, 2024

Tufa formation on Mono Lake, California, United States

Shaped by the slow passage of time, tufa—a type of porous limestone—emerges as one of nature"s most spectacular formations. While these towers can be found in various locations, today"s image highlights them at Mono Lake in Mono County, California. These stunning structures form when calcium-rich fresh water from several creeks and streams flows into the lake, mixing with its alkaline waters. Over centuries, this interaction causes calcium carbonate to accumulate, gradually creating tufa spires that rise above the lake’s surface.

© Susanna Patras/TANDEM Stills + Motion

palette

Today in History

Santa slalom
Dec. 5, 2023Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles, Bavaria, Germany
Dec. 5, 2025Maya site of Copán

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Celebrating the Scottish bard
Get ready for the blood moon
This bird is peak beak
Jul. 15, 2024Marine Day, Japan
Sep. 16, 2023Oktoberfest begins
A vibrant, sun-drenched island
Oct. 11, 2023The Painted Hills, Oregon
To the infinite and back
Mar. 15, 2025Pacific Rim Whale Festival
Where are these illuminated walkways?
Mar. 4, 2025Happy Fat Tuesday!
May 27, 2025Mona Vale rockpool, Sydney, Australia
Standing on glass 275+ metres in the air
Oct. 15, 2025National Mushroom Day
Jan. 17, 2025World Pizza Day
Let there be lights!
May 23, 2025World Turtle Day
Who uses this grassy bridge?
Jan. 2, 2024Prayer flags in Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan
Oct. 8, 2024World Octopus Day
May 31, 2025Knuthöjdsmossen nature reserve, Sweden
Heavenly hot springs
Dec. 20, 2024Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
Dec. 29, 2023Oud-West neighbourhood, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Dec. 4, 2023Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Sep. 22, 2024Autumn equinox
Jan. 6, 2025Flooded crypt, Basilica of San Francesco, Ravenna, Italy
Dec. 31, 2025New Years Eve
Regal Radiance
Santa slalom