Mono Lake's "tufas" were formed when water from calcium-rich underwater springs combined with the sodium-rich water
of the lake to form limestone towers that are cousins to the stalactites and stalagmites that delight cave explorers.
They were the lake's best-kept secret for thousands of years, only coming to light as the water level in the lake
dropped after the Los Angeles Water and Power Dept began diverting water from 4 of the lake's tributaries in 1941.