slag

today was rock and fossil day at an environmental/science education program i help with every few weeks. this little chunk of 'rock' struck me as something i have never seen before. known as slag, it is a byproduct of iron ore smelting. apparently there is a whole beach-full of similar pieces at fayette state park in the upper peninsula.

though my favorite story of slag came from a fellow instructor at this program, who told me of a town in ontario where the local make-out spot looks out over an open area where the slag is spread to cool. the sight is apparently pretty beautiful.

enough of a history lesson, hope you enjoy this cool 'rock'!