Here are some highly magnified specimens
from numerous places around the world. Examine
your sand samples under a microscope and see
if any of the ones shown below resemble the grains of sand in your collection!
Goodluck "Rockhounds!"
Here are some highly magnified specimens
from numerous places around the world. Examine
your sand samples under a microscope and see
if any of the ones shown below resemble the grains of sand in your collection!
Goodluck "Rockhounds!" |
Sahara Desert, Africa
Dull opaque surfaces due to erosion from high speed winds. Desert sands tend to have a wider assortment of grain sizes. On the other hand, sand found near water has its sediments constantly sifted, thus depositing grains that are nearly the same size. |
| Punalulu, Hawaii
The sand of Hawaii's black beaches is obsidian - volcanic glass created by magma that flowed to the sea and then cooled rapidly. It was eventually reduced to bits of fine black sand by water and waves. |
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Lifuka Island, Tonga, Southwest Pacific
Remains of tiny sea animals called crinoids (sea lily) make up part of the sand in this area of the South Pacific. These stony disks which are calcified, wheel-like plates, fall in large numbers to the bottom of the ocean. |
| Seven Mile Beach, Dongara, Australia
This area, teaming with life from the Indian Ocean, reveals many small corals and shells. In addition, this sand is predominantly made up of some very immature bivalve shells. Most unusual however, are the three-axial, icicle-like sponge points. |
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Ryukyu Islands, Japan
Some of the southern Japanese islands are famous for their beautiful "star sand." These grains are the shells of microscopic, single-celled animals that are found in abundance throughout our oceans. |
| Saint-Tropez, French Riviera
The reefs along this shoreline support many different animals whose shells are tossed onto the beach by the waves. This sample shows cone-like mollusks, and tubular mollusks. Below these you can see the horn of a marine ram. You can also see some black and gold mica crystals along with a sponge or sea-urchin spine. |
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