Further out on the surface of Owens Lake, a thin crust of salt is colored pink by halophilic archaeabacteria. The air temperature at the surface of the lake is 100 deg. In the background are white deposits of sodium carbonate and the Inyo Mountains. Evaporation ponds near the shore of the old Owens Lake. Pink areas are salt-encrusted waters colored by halobacteria.
Dark areas are green-colored mud, inhabited by halophilic green algae.