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Glass Beach: where nature has turned pollution into beauty

By Olga Gertcyk

30 January 2017

Waves on Russia's Pacific shoreline crafted old bottles, porcelain and tiles into a sparkling tourist attraction.

Nature has correct man's mistake, and stamped its own imprint. Picture: Anna Pozharskaya

On a sunny day, the beach on Ussuri Bay - in Primorsky region - seems to be covered with lighted candles. In the past, it was used as a dump for truckloads of unwanted glass bottles and waste from a local porcelain factory, or so the story goes.

But nature has correct man's mistake, and stamped its own imprint.

Map

Glass Bay

In the past, it was used as a dump for truckloads of unwanted glass bottles and waste from a local porcelain factory, or so the story goes. Pictures: The Siberian Times, Anna Pozharskaya, @ula1673, grunja.blogspot

Years of erosion has broken, then rounded and polished the glass, giving the beach a distinctive quality, to the extent that people pay a small fee to come here and enjoy the sight.

Tourists are amazed by shining shore, clean water and splendid view on the Ussuri Bay. Known in Russian as Steklyashka, the beach is perhaps at its most stunning in winter when the snow highlights the vivid colours of the glass.

Glass Bay

Tourists are amazed by shining shore, clean water and splendid view on the Ussuri Bay. Pictures: @yuliya_savkina, RGO, @dumbrava_regina

The summer the colours on the kaleidoscope mosaic gleam against the black volcanic sand.

The backdrop is also stunning: the bay is surrounded by impressive cliffs, making a stunning contrast to the bustle of nearby city Vladivostok, just 30 minutes drive away.

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This has also happened to a beach in NorCal named Ft. Brag. They also had the same story.

Bham_Onion, Birmingham, Al

13/07/2021 13:37

I love seagrass and agree glass is so much better than plastic when it's used up.

Rosemary, West Haven, CT USA

29/05/2020 20:52

Amazing

Connie, Australia

22/11/2019 16:47

I would rather see sea glass broken down in our oceans that the much more harmful bits and pieces of plastics which end up inside too many sea creatures nowadays. Even with worldwide recycling efforts, plastics are polluting our oceans and waterways, even after they degrade into microscopic particles. Thoughts?

Chris, New Canaan, CT USA

09/04/2019 20:54

If you think about it we mine the minerals from the earth heat them up and make glass. The sea just rolls them around and makes beautiful stones. Its not garbage that pollutes the earth. Just beautiful stones.

Looney Tunes, Irving, NY

27/10/2017 18:15

My understanding is that you are now NOT ALLOWED to remove the glass...is this true?

Hazel Richard McGrath, Nova Scotia Canada

25/10/2017 23:09

Terrible!
Environmental pollution as beautiful to describe is terrible. The more enthusiastic about it, the more likely it will be in the future. People are so stupid.

René, Brunswick, Germany

17/10/2017 03:16

Oh my goodness. Great pictures, wish I could come play there! If someone wants to ship me some beautiful glass I'll pay the postage for sure. :)

Lucinda Bender, Newark, CA USA

16/09/2017 10:43

@Sandy Martin...Just like the water eroding the edges of the glass, I hope that you can find a way to let the grief go yet hold onto the memories. The beauty remains behind.

Sid Finster, British Columbia Canada

17/02/2017 15:39

This is an exotic play. Looks coooooll :D

Jacob Chalk, Conway Arkansas

03/02/2017 23:43

Hey Chris, Mason

Jackson Hutchins, Conway,Arkansas

03/02/2017 23:42

i think this is great i love the rocks

Batman, Gotham

03/02/2017 23:41

That's cooooooooool!!!