Most people imagine golden shores when they think of a beach, but nature offers a much more dramatic alternative. Black sand beaches are geological marvels formed by the intense meeting of fire and water.
When hot lava from a volcano hits the cold ocean, it shatters into tiny fragments that the waves eventually grind into smooth sand. These exotic locations are often found in areas with high volcanic activity, from the icy shores of Iceland to the tropical islands of the South Pacific.
In this gallery, we explore the most breathtaking black sand beaches in the world. Want to know where they are? Click on and find out.