Bonnie Rannald's Photo-Explorations in focus with nature. : Tufa

Monday, January 6, 2014

Lee-Allen Hot Springs

Exploring Hot Springs on a Cold, Winter Morning

What better time than a cold January morning to go out exploring one of Nevada's geothermal springs, located just off U.S. Highway 95 and within the Walker Lane Fault Zone.

The area is known as Lee-Allen Springs, where just a weathered and almost unreadable sign with scull and crossbones warns of Danger Hot Water--185°f. (85c)

The primitive, undeveloped geothermal system was thought to be discovered in 1912 by road workers that were hand digging a pit.

Today, Lee-Allen Springs or Lee Hot Springs appears to be just a desolate reminder of the volcanism that formed part of Nevada's landscape thousands to millions of years ago.

Strange rock formations are strewn throughout the area that appears to have been spawned from deep within the earth's mantle.

Almost appearing like a rugged form from Stonehenge or having been sculpted by the abstract hands of nature.

The small alkaline stream that is probably no wider than 5 feet across flows up from an under ground well, possibly being heated from where the fault line reaches close to the surface.

From the entrance to the stream's bend is approximately 8 feet.

With an additional 16--20 feet as it narrows to seep back into the grass.

Algae grow in the alkaline water and thrive from the heat and direct sunlight.

On this cold sunny morning with temperatures below freezing and snow still clinging to the distant mountains, steam rises up from the hot springs creating a surreal effect.

Sand and silt have gained a foothold on most of the area, but erosion from wind and rain help to reveal glimpses of the violent history.

Some boulders lie cemented with coral like features or Tufa: a type of limestone or calcium carbonate that precipitates when calcium-rich water seeps into an alkaline lake.

Gas bubbles or vesicles became trapped and preserved in time as the lava cooled.

An opening in one of the rock formations could have been where lava flowed from a vent.

Recent footprints lead off in to the distance reminding me that I am not entirely alone in this desolate landscape.

For additional reading:
Allen Springs, NV

http://www.hotspringsenthusiast.com/Nevada.asp

Lee Hot Spring | Fallon Nevada Hot Spring Trails | Trails.com http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailId=HGS271-030#ixzz2pI5MIzmS

What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been. I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences.

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

"Reflecting Nature's Artistry"

Many of these images are available on my website:

http://www.bonnierannald.com/

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

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Monday, August 13, 2012

Mono Lake's Unique Diversity

Nature Adapts to an Alien Environment

If you take away the deep blue sky and clear air, Mono Lake has a topography that is as alien as any extra-terrestrial environment. Born from the eruptions of volcanoes, the tectonic basin of Mono Lake was additionally designed by faulting and down-warping of the earth's crust some one to 3 million years ago.

Mono Craters, domes of rhyolite that exploded from volcanoes during the last 40,000 years and as recently as 700 years ago.

A natural lake with no outlet, Mono's water has a unique chemistry that makes it saltier than the ocean. Volcanic ash and underwater springs rich in calcium create a mix that make Mono very alkaline.

The lake can not support fish; however the algae, brine shrimp and alkali flies contribute to a complex ecosystem, attracting millions of birds that come in for nesting and feeding. The black area in the right lower corner is a large concentration of alkali flies.

Part of the un-worldly appearance of Mono Lake comes from the Tufa towers, strange rock formations that grow underwater from the calcium in the underwater springs that mixes with carbonates in the lake water. Some Tufa towers reach heights over 30 feet, 9.144 meters.

Black Point on the north shore of Mono is one of the volcanic islands that were formed from recent eruptions around 13,000 years ago, when the lake was 400 feet, 121.92 meters deeper than it is today.

The Mono Basin is nestled in against the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, which is also one of the entrances to Yosemite National Park. A glimpse into this ancient era with so many intriguing explorations yet to uncover will be the focus of future blog posts, so check back often to see what unfolds.