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A Geoscience Digital Image Library

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TitleVolcanic breccia forming palisades above slopes of Morrison Formation near Gunnison, Colorado
DescriptionThese cliffs are composed of the West Elk Breccia (Oligocene). It formed from ash and larger rounded and angular volcanic material. Some may have been thrown here by eruption, other material was transported by water. The breccia lies on an erosional surface cut into bedrock - here the Morrison Formation shales. The source of the volcanic material was the West Elk volcanic center located a few miles to the north of this outcrop. The breccia is as thick as 1200 m in places.
LocationUSA ▹ Colorado ▹ Gunnison. Near Gunnison. View from U.S. 50.
PhotographerDexter Perkins. 1999.
CollectionE211102992P-34.
Key wordsvolcanic breccia, Morrison, palisades, Colorado
Tech details310 KB. Vista. Canon EOS Rebel, 55mm, Kodak Elite Chrome 100 ASA.
GeoDIL number1790