Yet another non-sequitur feature of the Salton Sea is Obsidian Butte, one of five in a series of ancient rhyolitic features on the lake's eastern shore. The butte was formed when lava from an ancient eruption came into contact with an ancient sea, resulting in a large deposit of the characteristic jet black, glassy composition.
Massive obsidian boulders on the beach.
One outcropping of the butte.
Close-up showing the layered bands in the obsidian, corresponding to successive waves of lava quickly cooling one after the other.
In addition to standard jet black obsidian, there was also snowflake obsidian and mahogany obsidian (pictured).
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