Where can I find natural obsidian in Oregon?
Two prominent peaks Glass Butte and Little Glass Butte in the Oregon high desert, just 57 miles west of Burns and 78 miles east of Bend, are known for its wide diversity of obsidian. A favorite destination for rock hounds, those two sites are located approximately half-a-mile away from each other.
Is the Big Obsidian Flow open?
Area Status: Open At a mere 1300 years old, the Big Obsidian Flow is the youngest lava flow in Oregon. A one-mile interpretive trail climbs up and onto this impressive lava flow of obsidian (black glass) and pumice, which is located within the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
Can you take obsidian from Big Obsidian Flow?
Note that collecting obsidian is forbidden within the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. The lollipop loop to the Big Obsidian Flow Trail #3958A begins on the south side of the parking area.
Where is obsidian collected?
The mountainous regions of the western United States have a lengthy geologic history of volcanism which created a mass of obsidian deposits. Mines, claims and other known locations are found in abundance in Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon and Utah, among others.
Can you take obsidian from Glass Mountain?
Collection of obsidian from Little Glass Mountain Geologic Area is prohibited. Natural features and archeological and historical objects are protected by federal law.
Is there obsidian in Oregon?
It’s not exactly rare – obsidian is found at other places in the U.S., and around the world at sites of young volcanic eruptions. In Oregon, there are large deposits in the Malheur National Forest near John Day, and in the Glass Buttes just southeast of the Newberry monument.
Where is the best place to find obsidian?
It is found in caves and on mountains in smooth, black rocks. Whitesky Peak and Volcano have rich amounts of obsidian rocks at and around the summit. However smaller amounts of black obsidian rocks can be found in numerous peaks around The Island. On Scorched Earth it can be found in the artifact caves.