Novarupta Obsidian Knife

Obsidian is produced when felsic lava is blasted out of a volcano and cools rapidly. Obsidian is commonly found within the margins of rhyolitic lava flows known as obsidian flows.

Novarupta (meaning “newly erupted” in Latin) is a volcano that was created in 1912, located in the Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Novarupta began erupting on June 6, 1912 and continued to erupt for 60 long hours. During this violent eruption, Novarupta expelled 3.6 cubic miles of ash (30 times as much as the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption). During the 20th century there was only one eruption larger than Novarupta. The Novarupta eruption was so big that it removed a large quantity of magma from underneath the Mount Katmai area. This loss of magma resulted in the collapse of Mount Katmai’s summit and created a 2,000 feet deep, 1.9 by 2.5 mile caldera.

Obsidian is a very hard glass, but when it fractures it creates very sharp edges. This is why it has been used as a tool and weapon since as long history has been recorded. The Novarupta Obsidian Knife is flintknapped by hand, making it a one of a kind collector's item. This is the perfect addition to any discerning knife collection.