Tufa Formations at Winnemucca Dry Lake, Nevada

May 07, 2014

Kupersmith tufa

Photographer: John Kupersmith
Summary Author
John Kupersmith

May 2014 Viewer's ChoiceFrom a distance, these concentric circles may resemble petroglyphs, but they're actually tufa formations found at the south end of Winnemucca Dry Lake, Nevada. They're situated along a bench that's a former shoreline of prehistoric Lake Lahontan. Underwater springs brought calcium in contact with the alkaline waters of the lake, causing precipitation of calcium carbonate (tufa). Tufa can take several forms. The ones pictured here are similar to overturned barrels with the inner structure of concentric layers exposed. Photo taken on March 30, 2014. 

Photo Details: Sony RX10 camera; focal length equivalent 24mm; ISO 125; 1/500 sec. exposure; f/5.6.

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