I stumbled onto the exit for this natural wonder late at night and decided to return and explore it in the daytime. Despite the overcast and sprinkles, I was glad to take it in, for its a different look into the Inyo Craters of the area, and quite striking in its own right (still more so to think that the structure--including the rectangular boulders that mound up at the base--are a form of glass!) Heres more info, iPhone pics, and the missing link to Google images from clearer days: (go to end) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Obsidian Dome: The Glass Dome of Mammoth Lakes ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Perhaps Mammoth Lakes most unusually beautiful and bizarre attractions is the Obsidian Dome, a mile-long mound of black obsidian. Similarly to Devil’s Postpile, the Obsidian Dome was caused by violent prehistoric volcanic activity. When visiting the Dome, take care not to cut yourself on the sharp obsidian. The Obsidian Dome is open to the public year-round. . . History of the Dome Although it is uncertain exactly when Obsidian Dome was formed, most scientists concur it was formed as a result of prehistoric volcanic activity. The origins of the rock came from a Phreatic blast – when magma reaches a water table and turns the water into steam. After the water cooled, it hardened into a rocky glass and became the Obsidian Dome we know today. The Obsidian Dome is part of a collection of five hardened lava structures known as the Mono-Inyo (Mono County and Inyo National Forest) Craters. Physical Description The Obsidian Dome is a 300-foot tall structure made completely of shiny volcanic glass. This monument stretches for approximately a mile long and is one of the largest such structures in the Mono-Inyo collection of volcanic mounds and craters. Although it is made from glass, the Obsidian’s shape is far from smooth and easily cuts visitors who do not tread with care. However, most parts of Obsidian Dome are safe for climbing. goodliferetreats/mammoth-lakes/attractions/obsidian-dome/ IMAGES from Obsidian Dome https://google/search?q=obsidian+dome+mammoth&safe=off&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=uRPjU5-UFcn2iQK1qICgDg&sqi=2&ved=0CCkQsAQ&biw=1344&bih=723
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 01:03:33 +0000
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