Geo 365: June 21, Day 172: Basalt Breccia

Basalt breccia at the base of the cliff on the south side of Yaquina Head. It's tempting to guess this might have been caused when the molten Columbia River Basalt met the cool Pacific Ocean water, but I've seen no pillows here, which I'd expect if that conjecture was correct. It might also be a basal breccia or a phreatic breccia, created as steam blasts disrupted the cooling lava. Lens cap is 52 mm.

Photo unmodified. March 7, 2012. FlashEarth location.