Despite being surrounded by swampland, salt marsh and mud river bayous, Avery Island has roughly 2,200 acres of higher ground. Amazingly its highest point is 152 feet above sea level.

Other interesting geological features include natural salt springs. Originally discovered by the American Indians, large deposits of pure rock salt were later uncovered close to the surface. Mining of the precious natural resource began commercially in May of 1862.

Now known to be one of five island salt domes in the area, it is believed Avery Island sits atop a deposit of solid rock salt potentially as deep as Mount Everest is high.