Black sand
Article TalkBlack sand is sand that is black in color. One type of black sand is a heavy, glossy, partly magnetic mixture of usually fine sands containing minerals such as magnetite, found as part of a placer deposit. Another type of black sand, found on beaches near a volcano, consists of tiny fragments of basalt.
Black sand on a beach in Southern Iceland
Closeup of black sand from a beach in Maui, Hawaii
Black sand beach in Waianapanapa Park, Hawaii
Black sand and icebergs on a beach in Iceland
While some beaches are predominantly made of black sand, even other color beaches (e.g. gold and white) can often have deposits of black sand, particularly after storms. Larger waves can sort out sand grains leaving deposits of heavy minerals visible on the surface of erosion escarpments.
Article TalkBlack sand is sand that is black in color. One type of black sand is a heavy, glossy, partly magnetic mixture of usually fine sands containing minerals such as magnetite, found as part of a placer deposit. Another type of black sand, found on beaches near a volcano, consists of tiny fragments of basalt.
Black sand on a beach in Southern Iceland
Closeup of black sand from a beach in Maui, Hawaii
Black sand beach in Waianapanapa Park, Hawaii
Black sand and icebergs on a beach in Iceland
While some beaches are predominantly made of black sand, even other color beaches (e.g. gold and white) can often have deposits of black sand, particularly after storms. Larger waves can sort out sand grains leaving deposits of heavy minerals visible on the surface of erosion escarpments.