What they found there was a massive, globular, stalagmite-like formation of some mysterious substance. It appeared to have flowed down from somewhere above their heads before solidifying into an anthracite-black glassy mass. The formation, which they named the Elephant’s Foot, stood half as tall as a man and weighed as much as two tonnes. Its surface was emitting an astonishing 8,000 roentgen per hour, or 2 roentgen a second: five minutes in its presence was enough to guarantee an agonizing death. Nonetheless, orders came down from the government commission for photographs and a full analysis.
