Gneiss
The light gray banded gneiss that emerges in this region is completely covered by lichens in this image. These special symbiotic organisms — a combination of algae and fungi — are capable of thriving even under extreme conditions, such as those found at over 2,000 meters above sea level.
Gneiss forms deep in the Earth's crust due to changing pressure and temperature conditions in zones where two tectonic plates converge — during both the subduction phase and the later continental collision, which creates mountain chains.
ART°GALLERY
