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:

The road less taken?
Nov. 8, 2023West Indian manatees, Crystal River
Dec. 6, 2024Finnish Independence Day
Stairway to heaven?
Dec. 25, 2025Merry Christmas!
Happy New Year’s from down under
Lighting the world
The sprout with amazing potential
Angry bird, doting dad
Nov. 11, 2023Young Peak, British Columbia
Jul. 2, 2025Spine-cheeked anemonefish
Sep. 4, 2023Camels in the desert, United Arab Emirates
Oct. 25, 2024Frankenstein Friday
Launching hopes and prayers
Majestic lord of the skies
Nov. 20, 2024World Childrens Day
Sep. 20, 2025Oktoberfest begins!
Today, a nation was born
Dec. 31, 2025New Years Eve
Apr. 3, 2026Armbrug bridge, Amsterdam, Netherlands
So fresh, so clean
Its puffling season!
Oct. 12, 2025Village of Saranac Lake, New York, United States
Nov. 21, 2023Grey seal pup
A snapshot of Spring
May the 4th be with you
A day of swing and celebration
Nov. 23, 2025Fibonacci Day
Feb. 1, 2026Colourful house in Olinda, Pernambuco, Brazil
Jun. 6, 2024The 80th anniversary of D-Day