Crater of Diamonds State Park was Made by a Volcano

There is no name for the volcano that contributed to create Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas. In actuality, the park is a 95 million year old section of an eroded volcanic pipe. A farmer purchased the land, and as he was cultivating it in 1906, he found diamonds buried in the dirt.

For $36,000, the farmer sold the land to diamond miners. Though not all of the property was owned by the same individuals, over time, land was sold and competition over who could locate which gems heated up. A few of the fields were eventually made public. You might go to the town, pay a fee, and just search the earth for diamonds on your own.

In 1972, the state acquired all the land and created a state park there. By enabling guests to explore the area in quest of gems, they maintain the tradition. You can keep any that you find. Before being spewed into the soil, every diamond on the site was created in that old volcano. The volcano also produced other gemstones, which are also present there. Every year, visitors discover, on average, 600 diamonds.

• Location: Arkansas, USA