Another two images conceived from the imaginative photographic creativity of Andrea Massagli. Both were taken in the Crystal Lake (first itinerary) submerging part of the lens in the water.
In photo n°1 the centre of the lens was situated a little above the surface of the water.
The photo is basically made up of three parts: the top part, which portrays the columns flanking the lake, the central part, where the same columns are clearly visible reflected in the water, the bottom, which shows the bottom of the little lake where, on the right, a spongy mass can be seen made up of countless calcite crystals.
Photo n° 2, more close up, shows more evidently the crystals which coat the bottom. At the top, the bottom end of the column formations can be seen, whereas in the middle, the area of refelection is limited by the fact that the centre of the lens was much closer to the water surface than in image n° 1. The crystals, which in these photos appear greyish, up until 52 years ago were extremely white. The change in colour was caused by a violent flood which happened in August of 1965 that caused muddy water from the Acheronte to pour into the lake.
The Crystal Lake is situated near a narrow part which accelerates the air movement facilitating the release of carbon dioxide from the water and, consequently, the transformation of the dissolved calcium bicarbonate into calcium carbonate. The calcite crystals are a logical consequence of this combination of factors.
