In a world that is comprised of about 71 percent water, it is hard to believe that there are entire oceans that most of us don't realize exist. West Virginia is one such place. Though the people of that region have solid ground beneath their feet, far below them flows an ancient ocean more than 400 million years old. This body of water is not like any lake in West Virginia. If you didn't know that there is an ocean under West Virginia, read on to learn all about it!

Underneath the Appalachian Mountains, deep below our feet, is an ancient ocean that is 400 to 600 million years old, predating the Atlantic. It is called the Iapetus Ocean.

Most people don't even know it exists. But the Dickinson family does. In fact, it is from this ocean that the brother and sister team of Lewis Payne and Nancy Bruns draw water. They draw water from the Iapetus because of the natural salt found within it. The family has used this water for generations. They are salt distributors under the name J. Q. Dickinson Salt-Works.

The process pulls out natural salt that is free of unhealthy chemicals and ingredients. It is delicious and 100 percent natural.

The process begins with a natural pump that draws water from the ocean deep under the feet of the Dickinson farm. Giant hoses draw the water to the surface, where the next step of the process begins.

The water, or brine, is then deposited into these large shallow pools located in a greenhouse. Then, the natural heat of the sun continues the process.

Within the greenhouse, temperatures rise well over 100 degrees, allowing the water to evaporate. As the water evaporates, sparkling white salt crystals begin to emerge.

Vast amounts of salt are derived from the brine of the Iapetus. The process is completely done by hand -

no machines. The siblings feel very fortunate to have access to this ancient and unique water source.

But more than this, they are proud to say that J. Q. Dickinson Salt-Works is the only company in West Virginia that provides a food product literally 400 million years in the making.

While most people don't associate our state with the coast, there really is a West Virginia ocean! Did you know about this remarkable geographic fact? For proof that it's real, you can check out the online shop of J. Q. Dickinson Salt-Works!

Have you ever tried salt from this ancient ocean under West Virginia or some other unique source? Feel free to comment below and join the discussion. We would love to hear what you thought!

To learn more about our beautiful state, check out another usage for natural salt: this salt cave in West Virginia that completely relaxes you. For additional adventures in and out of WV, take a look at AllTrails/AllTrailsPlus.