As you approach Punta Pitt, you will notice something unusual about the 295 foot beach. The sand has a green hue. This color stems from translucent olivine crystals reflecting in the light. Although this mineral is very common inside of the earth, it tends to weather quickly when exposed to air, wind and waves so rarely retains its olive coloring. They occurred at Punta Pitt because the mineral content of the volcanic ash was high in magnesium and low in silica.