Autumn leaves falling in Reno...
Photo © Stan White
Answer to Nevada geology field trip... What is it? No one correctly guessed the origin of the formation in last week's Wordless Wednesday picture, so here's a the short version of the story. The "rock" is a tufa deposit formation located near Pyramid Lake north of Reno. Tufa is a rock composed of calcium carbonate and can be formed in various ways. These particular tufas were formed when calcium-laden water from underwater springs (the area was covered by vast Lake Lahontan thousands of years ago) reacted with carbonate dissolved in the lake water. The calcium carbonate solid that resulted is what forms these tufa deposits. The one in the picture stood upright at one time and resembled a giant mushroom. The area where the picture was taken is littered with similar formations, some of which are still standing. If you want to learn more, check out The Tufas of Pyramid Lake, Nevada from the USGS website.
Comments
Looks as though all the leaves fell at once!
Looks like someone is in for a surprise when they return! Fun capture! Happy WW!
That is lot of work for somebody, the leaves have enhanced the beauty of the machine.
Obviously it is raining leaves in your neck of the woods much like it is here. ‘Tis the season. Beautiful colors!
Interesting info about the tufa formations. They sound like something I’d like to see someday.
Uh oh, it’s time to rake!