Where Can Tufa Be Found

Tufa, the unusual rock formations that jut out of Mono Lake in California’s Eastern Sierra, are famous for their otherworldly beauty. The greatest concentration of these unique “towers” is located at the south end of the lake. In the photo above, the moon rises over one of the dark ivory towers.

What is tufa made?

Tufa towers are tall columns of calcium carbonate (limestone) that form below lake level through chemical reaction of spring water with saline lake water.

What is calcareous tufa used for?

In the USSR calcareous tufa commonly occurs near Piatigorsk, near Yerevan, in Podolia, and near Pudozh. It is used as a building material, as decorative stone, and for roasting lime.