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All the United States California June Lake Obsidian Dome

Obsidian Dome

A natural dome made of volcanic glass in Inyo National Forest.

June Lake, California

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Obsidian Dome   scottdfrank / Atlas Obscura User
Obsidian Dome   scottdfrank / Atlas Obscura User
Obsidian boulder   scottdfrank / Atlas Obscura User
Obsidian on trail at Obsidian Dome   keenanseko / Atlas Obscura User
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  jDreams / Atlas Obscura User
Obsidian boulder   scottdfrank / Atlas Obscura User
Obsidian Dome   scottdfrank / Atlas Obscura User
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About

At the end of a dusty dirt road off California's Highway 395 lies a mountain made of volcanic glass, also known as obsidian. Located just north of Mammoth Lakes, the dome is part of the Mono-Inyo volcanic chain.

Obsidian Dome was formed about 600 years ago during a phreatic blast, when magma hits water on its way to the surface. The heat turns the water into steam and the magma cools into rock. The blast led to the creation of a gigantic pile of obsidian boulders. The dome itself is less one giant rock than a huge pile of those boulders, most of them with beautiful striations of different consistencies of obsidian and pumice. 

When obsidian flakes, it can form a sharp edge only a single molecule thick. The naturally occurring sharp fragments may have led to the use of obsidian for weapons and cutting tools. Local native groups used and traded it across a network that spanned hundreds of miles.

The dome is difficult to climb up very far, but there is a nice trail around the base of the dome, where you can admire the mountain and the surrounding forest. There's a parking lot at the base, and the road is easily traversed by standard passenger cars.

Related Tags

Natural Wonders Volcanoes Hiking Mountains Geology Nature

Know Before You Go

Turn onto Obsidian Dome road off of Highway 395 (at some points it is called Glass Flow Rd). It's a short, 1.2 mile drive to the base; follow signs for Obsidian Dome. There is a parking lot at the base of the mountain. The area is part of the Inyo National Forest.

Community Contributors

Added By

scottdfrank

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markspamsmith, finlayson, keenanseko, jDreams...

  • markspamsmith
  • finlayson
  • keenanseko
  • jDreams
  • bonfromage

Published

November 29, 2019

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Sources
  • https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF01067953
  • https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/long_valley/long_valley_sub_page_19.html
  • https://www.afar.com/places/obsidian-dome-california
  • https://geology.com/rocks/obsidian.shtml
Obsidian Dome
Obsidian Dome Rd
June Lake, California, 93529
United States
37.759098, -119.020422
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Devils Postpile National Monument

Mammoth Lakes, California

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Mono Mills

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Grave of the Unknown Prospector

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of California

California

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Stories 136

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Devils Postpile National Monument

Mammoth Lakes, California

miles away

Mono Mills

Mono Mills, California

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of California

California

United States

Places 1,508
Stories 136

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