Alpine Forest, Mammoth Lakes, California, 2015

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Over time, starting in 1990, trees around Horseshoe Lake, near Mammoth Lakes, California, died.

The Forest Service explored the possibilities of drought and insect infestations as the cause, but they found no evidence.

Then scientists found high concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas in the soil. Over time, the trees die from the inability to take up the needed nutrients. Geologists believe the CO2 results from volcanic activity in the area.

Found near Horseshoe Lake, the trees in this photo have died over time from this high concentration of CO2, silvering out to a beautiful patina.

This photo is one of a series of images from my black and white photography project titled Mammoth Lakes, California, 2015