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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.

#2

Sand Tufas

Willie Huang , Ted Gore Report

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Jazlyn J.
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I absolutely love the reflection, it just make it otherworldly.

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#3

Sand Tufas

Pacheco Report

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Vasy Nechay
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks like Mono Lake, in California. I made a trip there once, it was surreal to watch the sunset there! Different planet...

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#9

Sand Tufas

Krunk Brain Report

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#10

Sand Tufas

Volkhard Sturzbecher Report

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#11

Sand Tufas

Volkhard Sturzbecher Report

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#13

Sand Tufas

Bearbasin Photography Report

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#14

Sand Tufas

Bearbasin Photography Report

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#15

Sand Tufas

deepchi1 Report

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#16

Sand Tufas

Patrick Marson Ong Report

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#17

Sand Tufas

Dan Barr Report

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#19

Sand Tufas

Bearbasin Photography Report

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#20

Sand Tufas

Sandy Follett Report

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#21

Sand Tufas

Report

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#22

Sand Tufas

Darvin Atkeson Report

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#23

Sand Tufas

Jon Paul Report

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#24

Sand Tufas

Darvin Atkeson Report

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#25

Sand Tufas

circleyq Report

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#26

Sand Tufas

Joseph Trinh Report

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#27

Sand Tufas

Volkhard Sturzbecher Report

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#28

Sand Tufas

Marc Adamus Report

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#29

Sand Tufas

E. Howe Report

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#30

Sand Tufas

sederquist Report

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