Hidden near California’s Crowley Lake lies one of nature’s most mysterious creations — hundreds of perfectly shaped stone columns rising from the earth like the ruins of an ancient temple. For years, these symmetrical formations puzzled visitors and scientists alike. Were they man-made? The truth, it turns out, is far more incredible. Around 760,000 years ago, a massive volcanic eruption blanketed the region with scorching ash and pumice. Over time, melting snow and rainwater seeped into this la