You could be forgiven for thinking that the otherworldly rock formations in these pictures come from another planet, or from a sci-fi movie perhaps. But they’re actually called sand tufas and they come from right here on earth.
A tufa is a peculiar form of calcium carbonate, and they’re created when calcium-bearing freshwater springs well up through alkaline lake water (which is rich in carbonates). The carbonate and calcium combine and, over centuries, these elements form unusual spires, towering columns, and strange cauliflower-shaped mounds which can reach heights of up to nine metres (30ft). Tufas can only form underwater, and they’re only exposed when lakes are drained or dry out over many years. Check out this collection of pictures compiled by Bored Panda to see these curious formations for yourself.
#1
Image source: James Bau
#2
Image source: Willie Huang, Ted Gore
#3
Image source: Pacheco
#4
Image source: Patrick Marson Ong
#5
Image source: Dan Barr
#6
Image source: Brad Goldpaint
#7
Image source: Laurence
#8
Image source: Evan Olson
#9
Image source: Krunk Brain
#10
Image source: Volkhard Sturzbecher
#11
Image source: Volkhard Sturzbecher
#12
Image source: Dan Barr
#13
Image source: Bearbasin Photography
#14
Image source: Bearbasin Photography
#15
Image source: deepchi1
#16
Image source: Patrick Marson Ong
#17
Image source: Dan Barr
#18
Image source: Light Hawk Photo
#19
Image source: Bearbasin Photography
#20
Image source: Sandy Follett
#21
#22
Image source: Darvin Atkeson
#23
Image source: Jon Paul
#24
Image source: Darvin Atkeson
#25
Image source: circleyq
#26
Image source: Joseph Trinh
#27
Image source: Volkhard Sturzbecher
#28
Image source: Marc Adamus
#29
Image source: E. Howe
#30
Image source: sederquist
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