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MAP~ KEY 0
NO.\!,/ MAP

JALAMA BEACH TRAVERTINE

' ,,
The best season to visit this area is during the winter when the
storms have uncovered most of the rock. However, summertime is a
good season to hunt for ·fo s s~ls and some of the travertine boul-
ders are exposed the year around.
TYPE OF MATERIAL FOUND 1) Travertine, 2) Fossils, J) Indian
Artifa:_cts, 4) Whalebone, .5) Silicated Algae, 6) Marcasite,
7) ·Pe H ·ified Wood
DESCRIPTION OF MATERIAL
1) Travertine. Beautifully patterned travertine-onyx. This is
some of the best patterned travertine we have seen from Southern
California. It was originally formed as stalactites which were
later crushed and re-formed as travertine boulders. When it is
cut, the variat ~ons from round to elongated tubes in different
colorings make striking pieces. The colors are in the brown
tones. Takes good polish and is excellent for cabs, spheres,
bookends, pan bases and tumbling.

2) Fossils. The shale cliffs along the beach immediately north
of the park yield fossils. They are small and usually crushed, but
with some concentrat ed effort a good specimen can be obtained. It
_is best t o holj the pieces of shale on edge and tap along the side
until a lay8r splits o~f along the bedding plane. The lady in the
snack bar has a perfect fish fossil whi ch she believes tame from
the area.

J) Indian Artif acts. The Indians roamed this entire region as
late as 200 years ago. (Interesting exhibits of their culture can
be seen at the Santa Barbara Museum). Many of their primitive
belongings such as wampum beads, bone needles, etc., can be found
in the c~mpground with some diligent searching. No digging i~
permitted within the state park boundaries, but most of the items
are found lying on the surface.

THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS CAN BE FOUND ALL ALONG THE BEACH

4) Whalebone. Gray- brown in color and showing good cell s t l'."uc_ture.
It ,ooks just like all the other brown rocks and it takes a keen eye
to see it. When the bone is wet, the cellular pattern will be easily
recognized .

.5) Silicated Algae. A light tan stone with creamy colored spots;
it resembles a faded cork. Again, when this stone is wet, it is
much easier to identify. Takes gocd polish. Suitable for cabs,
paperweights and tumbling.

6) Marcasi tEz. Look f -or the rock ~::; with the rusty spots and L1An
chip a corner. On broken surfaces you can sea the . brassy colored
marcasite. Marcasite is iron pyrite, and when exposed to moisture,
it rusts easily which is the reason for the characteristic rusty
appearance. Takes a good polish. Makes attractive cabs for jewelry.