9. The Emerald Shores of Talofofo Beach, Guam
On Guam's eastern coast, an island jurisdiction of the United States in the western Pacific Ocean, sits a beach seemingly touched by the hand of a master jeweller. With its remarkable olive-green sand, Talofo Beach provides guests with a window into the intricate geological events sculpting the most unusual landscapes on Earth. Olivine, a mineral, is the source of the unique colour of the beach; the same material that produces the green sand beaches found in Hawaii and other volcanic areas worldwide. But the narrative of Talofo Beach is especially linked to the geological past of Guam and the adjacent Mariana Islands. At Talofo Beach, olivine-rich sand results directly from the volcanic activity that created Guam millions of years ago. Deeply ingrained in the Earth's mantle, magma forms the mineral olivine, sometimes known as peridot in its gem-quality form. This material entered the island's bedrock as volcanic eruptions carried it to the surface. The constant action of wind, rain, and waves has worn these olivine-rich rocks over time, freeing many little crystals that have gathered along the coast. Constant new olivine crystal supply is ensured by the continuous erosion and deposition process, therefore preserving the distinctive look of the beach. With the intensity of the colour typically depending on variables including moisture content and the angle of sunlight, the olivine sand at Talofo Beach ranges in colour from a faint yellowish-green to a dark olive. The sand looks to shine with an inner light when wet or seen under strong sunlight, producing an amazing spectacle that attracts tourists from all over the world. The great amount of olivine indicates the special geological makeup of Guam, which provides understanding of the volcanic processes that moulded the island and still affect its topography now.
