Lake Russell (prehistoric)

[5] Tectonically, the Mono Lake basin started forming 4–3 million years ago mostly in response to subsidence along the Sierra Nevada Fault.

The northerly "Mount Hicks spillway" is presently 47 metres (154 ft) higher than the Adobe Valley sill,[3] and passes between the Bodie Hills and the Wassuk Range into Mud Spring Canyon, Rough Creek and eventually East Walker River.

[15] This change in spillways is biologically important, as it allowed animals to use Lake Russell as a "transfer point" between different drainages.

[3] During the Tahoe glaciation (150,000–130,000 years ago, oxygen isotope stage 6), Lake Russell reached a highstand and overflowed into Owens Valley.

[21] Pumice and tephra shards are also found within lake deposits and may originate in the Mono Craters.

[16] The Mono-Inyo Craters formed in part after the retreat of Lake Russell, thus their deposits are not heavily modified by lacustrine phenomena.

[16] The Ragia bivalves are marine species and were probably transported to Lake Russell by birds as has been observed at other inland locations in the United States.