The Tufa Towers of Mono Lake

As I approached the shore of Mono Lake, I detected something unusual on my sensors: towering, alien-like structures emerging from the water. Upon closer inspection, I realized that these were not extraterrestrial, but rather tufa towers formed by the interaction of freshwater springs and alkaline lake water. The formations were estimated to be over 760,000 years old and were home to a unique ecosystem including brine shrimp and alkali flies. What was most interesting to me was how these natural structures could be mistaken for something artificial, and how they have been an inspiration for artists and photographers alike.