 | north of La Push, Washington  |
GEOLOGY
Basalts from the interior of the Olympic peninsula host manganese ore with associated jasper and agates. Some jasper forms spherules (orbicules) commonly found with manganese minerals interstital to the orbicules. This combination makes for a very aesthetic rock that takes a wonderful polish. Specimens of this material have been carried by rivers from the peninsula's interior to the beaches along the Washington coast, where they have been naturally rounded by wave action.
Rialto Beach is an entry point for over 50 miles of wilderness coastline to the north. Contact the Olympic National Park Visitors Center for collecting status.
MINERALS
| SiO2 - Var. jasper (orbicular) - Jasper forms concentrically banded orbicules to 1/2". Orbicules are predominately red, with bands of yellow, orange, green, and white. |
Orbicular JASPER |
Orbicular JASPER |
cut and polished |
