epiclastic breccia
Quick Summary
Epiclastic breccia is a type of sedimentary rock composed of angular or subangular fragments larger than 2 millimeters, differing from conglomerates which have rounded fragments. These rocks are formed by the physical weathering and disintegration of pre-existing rocks, with their fragments transported and deposited within a basin.123
There are two main types of epiclastic breccias:
* Intraformational: Derived from material within the same depositional basin, often due to strong currents eroding and redepositing recent sediments.2
* Extraformational: Originating from source rocks outside the depositional area, these are more significant in volume and geological importance.23
Epiclastic breccias, along with conglomerates, make up a small percentage of the sedimentary rock record.2
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