Menu Close

New type of rock formed from plastic waste

Scientists have found a new type of rock form that consists of plastic waste and will one day act as evidence of human impact on the planet.

The rocks, called plastiglomerates, form when melted plastic combines with sediment, fragments of lava and other organic material, were found on Kamilo Beach in Hawaii.

Researchers believe that the lava hadn’t flowed since before plastics were first invented, suggesting our waste was definitely to blame.

Read more at Western University

Want to write?

Write an article and join a growing community of more than 181,000 academics and researchers from 4,921 institutions.

Register now