Mono Lake

This is the South Tufa side of Mono Lake. These coral-like columns rising up are called "tufas." They're made of "calcium carbonate," a type of limestone. They look like they might be made of that sandy-stuff at Lake Powell, but they're tough and sharp like coral reefs.



Mono Lake is 2.5 times saltier and 100 times as alkaline as the ocean.



A type of shrimp--Brine Shrimp--is unique to this lake. They survive off of the bacteria in this water along with the alkali flies. These are flies that can stay underwater for up to 15 minutes at a time.

The natives who lived here were known as the Kutzadika.