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Tufa towers in a pink Mono dawn

Fig. 1Tufa towers in a pink Mono dawn

Landform

A closed-basin saline lake with tufa towers — calcium-carbonate spires formed where freshwater springs meet alkaline water.

Field note

Mono has no outlet. Salt and carbonate concentrate until the water feels silky. Tufa stands along the south shore like a ruined quay. Dawn is pink, then gold, then ordinary again.

A private leaf

Prints from Mono Lake


Instant paper, this copy only. Write on the white — a line the walk still owes you.

The prints

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Opening the leaf…

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The nearest plates, by the miles.

Desert chapter

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Other US desert plates. See all desert destinations in the USA

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Vintage map of the United States