Image 09934, Tufa towers rise from Mono Lake with the Eastern Sierra visible in the distance.  Tufa towers are formed when underwater springs rich in calcium mix with lakewater rich in carbonates, forming calcium carbonate (limestone) structures below the surface of the lake.  The towers were eventually revealed when the water level in the lake was lowered starting in 1941.  South tufa grove, Navy Beach. California, USA, Phillip Colla, all rights reserved worldwide.   Keywords: california:habitat:lake mono:mono lake:saline lake:tufa tower:usa.