Roadcut exposure of the lower Miocene Topanga Canyon Formation (above) that has been intruded by a dike of lower Miocene igneous rock called diabase (below). Diabase has the same composition as basalt, but is intrusive, hence cools more slowly and contains larger crystals than the extrusive lava flows of basalt.


Diabase & Topanga Canyon Fm.

Return to the GeoTrek IV-E page.