The Geologic Oddity in Oregon; Pure Obsidian Lava Flow
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 มิ.ย. 2024
- Within Oregon is a strange geologic oddity. There is a massive lava flow which is almost completely made up of obsidian. This beautiful lava flow, termed the "Big Obsidian Flow" originated in the most recent eruption of the Newberry Volcano. In contains tens of millions of tons of this beautiful volcanic glass, and is truly a gorgeous geologic wonder to witness. This video will discuss this geologic oddity, and how it formed.
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I want to note that a similar shield volcano with explosive eruptions, Medicine Lake in California, also contains a pure obsidian lava flow. Around the same period of time, both it and Newberry produced highly explosive eruptions that resulted in abundant obsidian deposits.
Also; nomenclature. The flow isn’t 100% obsidian. It contains an abundance of pumice as well as well at some other pyroclastic material.
Thank you for doing another video on the Newberry Volcano.
What caused it to cool in a matter of minutes? The video doesn't really say. Thanks
So cool! I love in Oregon I can't wait to check this spot out
You're the best, thank you for this
@@Eric_Hutton.1980 he's given us so much attention and videos, makes Oregonians blush
This obsidian was prized by the first humans in the NW. Cutting tools made from it have been found from Alaska to California!
Came here to post this - thanks!
Even at the great lakes area have they found obsidian from this area 4000km away. It greatly changed the ideas on Palaeolithic trade.
It has also been used by modern surgeons for its fine edge.
@@chubbymoth5810 The layered sands around the Great Lakes tell an interesting story.
Said to be sharper than medical scalpel
You got me to head down the Wikipedia rabbit holes after seeing this video. Apparently within the Newberry Volcano National Monument there is a place called Lava River Cave. The cave is the longest lava tube in Oregon: just over a mile long. Visitors can hike through the entire cave.
Super cool. I’ve been to the cave a few times the first time I went was actually on a school field trip. There are actually quite a few areas around the Newberry site
Lava river cave, some ice caves, an area of tree casts, cinder butes, lava fields and some water falls all make this a premier spot for those interested in geology.
Ohhh this this this! Make this into a video
@@callsignmohas5190 When we went there on a field trip we went to Lava Lands and our guide on the lava trail was blind. Let me say that again. Our guide was blind.
@@timothyball3144 Well once the flashlights get turned off I think everyone becomes blind lol. What year did you go? We went on a field trip when I was going to the Oregon youth challenge program just outside of Bend in 05
Another amazing obsidian feature in central Oregon is Glass Mountain. I had the immense pleasure of rockhounding there for a couple of days. Snowflake, rainbow, gold sheen, mahogany it's all to be found there. Amazing.
Hell yeah
Found out about this from Nick Zentner, a geologist from University of Central Washington. He does a lot of videos about the geology of the Pacific Northwest. Good job on this video and channel.
My husband and I love watching his videos.
NZ is a rock-star legend.
@@KathrynsWorldWildfireTracking I see what you did there. :)
I love Nick Zentner!
Nick Rocks.
Wow! This place must have been very significant to the people of the region. I wonder how it fit into their lore?
Obsidian from this flow has been found in artifacts thousands of miles away, indicating extensive trade networks by native peoples
Crater Lake was believed to be a holy place by Native Americans, and they kept it secret from the settlers. I don't remember anything about Newberry, but you have to see it in person to grasp the effect it has on people.
They must have figured out that obsidian can be used to build portals and travel to the Nether.
Ł,!64
Big hardware store
Thanks for a tour of this unique geological feature …! Oregon really has some varied Topography…would the Columbia River Basalt Group be worthy of an episode or two …?
Columbia River basalt is definitely on the todo list. Currently clearing several tidbits of information such as how much volume it erupted each year
@@GeologyHub Great thanks…. I vacationed in Hood River once … and Kiteboarding on the Columbia with those Basaltic cliffs in the background was definitely an Experience that I won’t ever forget …. The Drive from Yellowstone to the Columbia Gorge across the Basaltic Fields is worthy of a scientific pilgrimage….
I've been to this spot. It's incredible how tall the obsidian flow really is. Several stories tall. A note to those who may want to visit....fall or spring are best. The hot midsummer sun reflecting off the obsidian makes it an very hot endeavor.
I went during the winter and the contrast of snow with the black obsidian was amazing.
@@chiyo9014 - I was there in the spring when the snow was starting to melt. It's quite the show!!
As a flint knapper constantly on the lookout for decent material this site would be a dream come true.
You're not supposed to remove any of the obsidian, but I somehow, um, accidentally came away with a couple small pieces.
Ya really, I used to look for small pieces from the abandoned ancient Rio Grande channel gravels to make points from and get excited to find one more than 2 inches long
The obsidian there isn't anything special other than the quantity, but nearby is glass butte, with mahogany obsidian and even some rainbow obsidian, and you can dig for free. BLM.
I somehow left with like 50 lb 😅 in my defense it was me and my brother and we were both under 18@@elainehill6504
An interesting topic, how each type of obsidian is formed, there's so many.
I have an older video which covers several varieties :) m.th-cam.com/video/kfgybq_2CHc/w-d-xo.html
@@GeologyHub damn way ahead! Nice!
Obsidian is rather common in the northwest.
@Be Holy The vast majority of gemstones originate deep in the crust from magma that takes an unusually long time to cool, thus forming large crystals. Of course, some rhyolite lavas just naturally contain an abundance of topaz and garnet.
@Be Holy Topaz Mountain in Utah, and a few scattered extinct volcanoes in northwest New Mexico. Topazes are surprisingly common, just crystals large and transparent enough for use in jewelry ARE rare
I just visited this place in July! It's a pretty amazing thing, and the more so because it's so easy to get to - at least if you're already in the area. The obsidian is so crazy abundant that some of the walkways and stone walls at the trailhead area are built out of it.
These videos are so good. Thanks.
was just there in August. So much interesting volcanic history in that area, a great place to visit.
This is making me want to go check it out :)
I've been there and can attest that anyone interested in geology or natural beauty in general should visit if in the area.
@DoAndroidzDream Just wear good closed toe shoes. I forgot and had to hike the trail in sandals. 🙄 it was still worth it.
I've hiked on the Big Obsidian Lava Flow. It's so big and amazing to see. Since Newberry is the second most seismically active volcanoes in Oregon, I wouldn't be surprised if it erupts within the next 50 years.
A lot of flint knapper's would be glad to get that. Obsidian makes beautiful arrowheads and can be sharpened like a razor.
I was thinking that it would be a goldmine to cavemen. It's not flint, but I guess flint knappers would be happy to find it.
@@Primalxbeast It's better than flint .. because it doesn't have the impurities that flint can have. So it's edges can be much finer and slice like a razor blade
I think obsidian forms a nearly monomolecular edge when knapped right?
This particular flow is within a protected area, so no modern knappers get to use it. However, there is a much older source not too far south, at Glass Butte, where you can collect for non commercial use. I believe there are also some Dacite flows where you could collect knappable stone.
@@ValeriePallaoro u can't say obsidian is better than flint tbh, flint is harder and you are most likely to get what you want if you knap quality, pure flints by removing the outer nodules. Obsidian is fragile, takes a mastery to knap even a simplest piece. One mistake which you'll probably make ends the piece. Therefore even if you strike the edges only, it's most likely going to break from half at some point.
I was just there about 2 months ago and it is an amazing place :)
I’ve been there twice and am looking forward to returning. The view from the top of Paulina Peak is spectacular! I have a tiny piece of it at home.
Stop right there. that's illegal. Possibly even a felony. I'm going to track you down and turn you in for the sake of preservation.
@@Bassmasterwitacaster just drop a line to the forest circus LEO’s. They would probably open a case. Feds got nothing better to do.
This is why I love this channel.....we learn So much.....I've never heard of this volcano before.
paul-line-ah. I used to live in this area when I was younger. If your a geology nut like I was this was a great area to live in.
Wow, did not know this existed, and now I wanna go. Thanks!
I found a perfectly round obsidian ball here in Idaho upon coming back home after many years of being gone! It wax the first day after my arrival. It’s an amazing ball:)
Love it! So much info!! My brain is so excited!
Can you show us some examples of rocks that you personally own? I bet you have access to some amazing finds.
I love how everything is measured in olympic pools.
I know... like the universe contains 3,273 x 10 to the 943,256,488th Olympic swimming pools of mater. Makes it so clear.
2:55 - That jolly guy with his prized pumice ball...so wholesome. :)
Yeah, looks like a beautiful place. Wondering where it is.
Super cool volcanic feature! Thanks for covering.
The lakes nearby have rocks floating in them from the pumice. You can pick up a big looking bolder that only weighs a few pounds. It's almost like you're walking on the moon on the top of that flow. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.
If I'm not mistaken, this is what happened near Picketpost Mountain in AZ, and it slowly cracked and eroded away into Perlite with small surviving central nodules of obsidian we call Apache Tears. I love gathering these.
I was just there a few months ago, there's stairs that go up 70 feet to be on the top...Im too outta shape to walk it so I plan on it next year...its absolutely beautiful
Wonderful presentation. Thank you
Thank you. Was very informative. Keep making these types of videos.
God bless
Love the videos! Would love seeing you cover seafloor lava vents/ fissures in a future video if at all possible. Thanks for the consideration.
I’ve been there! It’s just magnificent!
Can you please talk about Sumidero Canyon in Mexico, it is located in the state of Chiapas and it cut almost vertical throught the flat landscape.
Been there, its quite impressive.
Camped there several times! Lots of trails to finder smaller geological oddities.
It’s also quite a large area to explore! Shield volcanoes are truly massive!
Wow
It would be a epic terrain to have a walk through.
I love geography about my home area of central oregon
Excellent and informative vid
Good to know where to get it just in case any dragons start up their stuff.
Or white walkers?
@@Liquessen Oh hey yeah forgot about those guys. lol
Only forgettable after season 6.
If you go outside the monument on the backside there’s good fragments that you can take home for souvenirs and not get arrested. Also while you are here, don’t forget to take the Paulina plunge, and please, please, please I’m begging. Pack out more than you brought! From a local that grew up here, it’s getting so trashed from people that sat “I love it” but don’t actually care. It’s happening so much over the entire region and sad to watch.
Better yet don't take any souvenirs home with you except photos. Sure leaving trash is worse, but visitors shouldn't be encouraged to take anything.
@@Sashazur if you read with your brain what I said. You can take some obsidian home.
@@Sashazur even told you where to go
@White Raptor News I have some cool aid for you to drink. Maybe ride a comet and play with aliens. No news of trumpertantrum? Lmaooooo! What about the news of all the priests touching kids? This is the people that preach your good word to you! Preaching hypocrisy. No matter what left/right porpoganda you listen to and believe. Religion is one of the roots or hypocrisy. Remember, first to preach and you DAMN WELL ARE the very first to persecute, always throwing your “mighty” finger around. What a joke.
I visited this area recently. There are paths and stairs to access the to of this feature. It's like being on a different planet. One thing video cannot convey is the smell. I can't describe it but it's definitely odd.
Would love a video on the Pink and White Terraces in New Zealand.
So so interesting!!! Thank you. I am in California and hope to visit this lava flow in the future. I had no idea it existed!
Been there. I love this place! So neat to hike up around the flow.
There are some super impressive chunks of obsidian in the pumice fields just south of Mono Lake in California, super unique forest area to camp in too. Old growth pine forest right in the middle of a pumice field limits the undergrowth quite a bit so its super fun to hike around.
I just wanted to say these videos are awesome, I have been learning so much. Good work .
Amazing! I should head over there some weekend.
You should really check out the Three Sisters complex near Bend, Or. In addition to the sisters there are two more sets of three volcanos of successively greater ages and states of erosion. The best parts are only accessible by days of hiking but are spectacular and well worth the effort. There are enormous cliffs of snowflake obsidian with thousands of years of napping wast a half hour walk from the north entry.
Amazing many thanks for posting..
I visited here a while back. It is an awesome place. Well worth the detour.
There are small obsidian boulders scattered all over the desert around Las Vegas. They're the best quality I've ever seen. They're very dark and very clear, most with zero striations.
thank you for the video and I love your videos
Great video. I kayak East Lake during the summer. Quite spectacular.
Imagine accidentally tripping wile visiting the obsidian and getting a cut D: So beautiful yet so sharp!
Good work boots, sturdy jeans and quality leather gloves are an absolute must when rockhounding obsidian areas....oh yeah, safety glasses!
I’ve mountain biked the Newberry Rim Loop a number of times either direction. Quite an amazing place to see in person!!
My respect to you sir, for saying Oregon like an Oregonian and not by saying Or ee gone
Or like Argon.
I've walked around there before, It's a super cool place. It's crazy how there's trees growing out of the obsidian flow
In the 80's my mother used a ceramic kiln to melt samples of ash from Mt. St. Helens that were collected at various distances from the volcano. First she slip cast some thick porcelain crucibles in a small and beaten up flowerpot mold and fired them. Then the pots were filled with the various ash samples. All but one just sintered into solids like a grindstone. The one that didn't do that melted into a dark ruby red glass. Don't know where that ash sample came from. If the source could be located and if it'd still melt the same after 40+ years, it would be an amazing material for glass artists.
It was very informative.
Also in Oregon,
Could you discuss Smith Rock?
Beautiful, thank you!
Yes enjoyed this very much thank you!😊👏👏👏👏👏
Amazing, near Christchurch in New Zealand on Banks Peninsula which is the eroded flanks and remains of a basaltic lava dome volcano there is a large blob of obsidian outcropping from the layers of basalt and scoria, hiking to it was part of the field work i did when completing my undergrad geology degree many years ago, the geological setting seems very similar to the video, just way way smaller.
Great video thank you 👍🏻
I've visited Newberry Crater a few times. Good fishing in the lakes, and the geology is stunning. There is another large obsidian formation about 95 miles NW of Newberry crater, the Obsidian Cliffs. This is a large cliff face that varies between pure obsidian and obsidian with rock impurities. My parents carried out a few small boulders before that became illegal. The cliffs are below the west side of the South Sister, off of Sunshine Meadow, at the top of the Obsidian Trail. The Pacific Crest Trail runs through Sunshine Meadows.
I practically grew up in the area, visiting the high Cascades several time every summer, before restrictions on visitors grew too great, in the late '90's.
And of course, Glass Mountain to the east.
I can't imagine how much time it takes to put one of these videos together. Do you have a staff or is it all the work of one person? Either way, it's great. Thanks from Florida.
Such a beautiful place! I've been there twice in my life!
Was just here about 1 month ago, it's a spectacular place to visit.
I live about as far away from this site as one could imagine (southern Ontario, Canada) BUT for several days, quite a few years ago, my hiking boots clomped all over the Newberry Volcano. Walking in certain areas sounded like I was walking on broken glass (sorry, Eurythmics!...)...which, of course, I was!
Mind blown. Volcanic activity is so odd. Like rivers of Peridot in Hawaii. So wild.
I love these videos.
Yes, it's pretty, but great care must be exercised when traversing such an area...obsidian is sharp AF.
Beautiful obsidian in those parts
1 minute in and I'm hooked!
How interesting. So pretty. It's so cool how such beauty can come from such a scary occurence.
Hey dude so yeah i watched ur content for 1 year now but i like ur content
Good video tyvm
To watch that flow would have been unbelievable
Fascinating!
Would've been a great place for someone making obsidian tools in the prehistory
This is AMAZING.
I've been to Medicine Lake's Glass Mountain, but haven't been to Newberry yet, Some day soon I hope as I live right between the two.
Looks to be a particularly difficult material for vegetation to colonise.
Me again. Living in guatemala born in Oregon. This was fantastic! Must have been pretty cold weather I’d think.
The video mentions that this flow is inside the caldera. My guess is that there was a crater lake when this flow was created, and flowing into the water is what cooled it quickly enough to form into obsidian.
I've been there. Beautiful area.
Love the break down and a lot of cool history my only criticism is that Obsidian is a Glass due to its Lack of crystalline structure.
You can drive to the top of Paulina's peak and it's an amazing view. On a clear day you can see Mt. Shasta in California & Mt. Rainier in Washington, and all the cascades in between.
Been there, Newberry is an incredibly interesting place. The black obsidian does tend to get quite hot in the sun though. There's an old no longer maintained trail that runs between the two large lakes, between the cinder cone and the T-shaped lava flow to the north that is incredibly neat. Definitely a place worth checking out, along with all the other unique geologic features of Oregon.
Just don't tell anyone about the hot springs at the end oh that trail, ok?
@@bob_frazier Wait there are hot springs at the end? I just knew that it led to the part where the lava flow spills into one of the lakes which is pretty cool.
@@StuffandThings_ The hot springs are on the north edge of Paulina lake, and just about at lake level. They are not super spectacular, but a fun place to go.
@@bob_frazier Oh, I was talking about a trail that runs between Paulina and East lake, along the lobe of the lava flow. It is a *very* obscure trail but incredibly neat. The hot springs might be worth checking out though, the PNW is weirdly lacking in good hot springs despite being very volcanically active
In the N.M. Jemez mountains along the Jemez river are tons of beautiful, clear, blemish free obsidian chips. The indians made weapons/ tools out of it. Razor sharp edges one could shave with. Never thought of them as "jewells" before but have never seen clearer obsidian anywhere else & N.M. is a geologic wonderland.
I agree that New Mexico is a geologic wonderland. I grew up in Albuquerque and collected beautiful rocks. Obsidian being one of my favorite. (I also created a little home for horny toads that became my pets.) Good memories and now I binge watch geology videos with this one being at the top of my list.
I love the rich volcanic/geologic history of my state!!
Thank you for these videos, they're something that I've really been enjoying the past few months
There is something that I have been wondering, watching videos of the La Palma eruption and the eruption in Iceland. I've noticed that the lava often is traveling in channels, similar to a stream but I've been wondering how those channels form. The edges, which are higher than the level of the lava flowing through the channel, are made of cooled lava, but that just makes me wonder what chain of events led to that lava being deposited, and then after it was deposited having new lava carve a channel through it. I've been seeing videos of the La Palma eruption that have flows that look more like a slowly moving pile of gravel, is that what the head of the eruption looks like? Where it's something like a flash flood, where the head of the flow has a bunch of material caught in it that slows the flow down, which forces the flow into a wider channel as the incoming lava backs up behind it, but then as that head flows further away the lava that was deposited in place then has a channel carved into it? Or is it just that as the lava flows it is carving a channel into the non-volcanic rock below it that then gives the illusion that the lava had carved through a once higher layer of freshly deposited lava? Or is it just that the flow rate varies over time, leading to more condensed channels that flow in the middle of old flows, due to the middle being the hottest and thus easiest to carve a new channel into?
Thank you again for the videos, they are quite informative
Ohh I missed this video I remember looking this up after Nick Zentner visited it and found a paper discussing its magmatic source and finding it is actually fueled by a mix of both Cascade and Basin and Range magmas. That Basin and range basaltic magma probably helps explain the overall shield component with the more silica rich magma coming later off of the cascades.
It's beautiful
Thats awesome
Thank you interesting 🙂
Awesome 😳😎
Awesome video. Thank you. Just what I was looking for. I have one that's literally shaped like an axe head. Could be a "artifact".
No life like it. Lazy hazy days spent frolicking on top of a ticking Bomb. 🤸Gotta love the west coast.
Amazing views. Thanks 👍✔️
Incredible Story.
wonderful!
A fast and slow running magma tap. Who'd've thought? That's a heck of a plumbing system.