Mud geyser mound

 

This is an aerial view of a mound formed by a mud geyser. It features a stark, cracked surface with the vent near the top of the image. The dominant feature is the intricate network of desiccation cracks of mud, that has shrunk as it dried. The mound has been built from successive eruptions of mud and water, which solidified upon exposure to air. Mud geyser eruption heights are inversely related to the lake’s water level; lower levels result in taller eruptions. The pale, uniform color of the mound suggests a high mineral content, possibly silica or other evaporites.