The Trona Pinnacles is what remains of the now ancient saline Searles Lake. When the lake was full, fresh water springs percolated up through the saline waters precipitating out minerals forming underwater spires of porous rock. When the geology and climate changed, the lake dried leaving these unusually spire formations. The lights to the north is the mining town of Trona and the glow to the south is the town of Barstow.