Breccia is a term typically used by geologists to describe coarse-grained clastic, or fragmental, sedimentary rock composed of irregular fragments over eight hundredths of an inch in diameter. The fragments are held together by smaller particles or a mineral cement.
Composition
Breccia can have a variety of different compositions, determined mainly by the type of rock from which its fragments are derived. The topography and climate of the region in which it is formed can also have a bearing on its composition.
Examples
The various types of breccia are usually described by the principal type of rock fragments it contains or, if it contains many types of rock, as polymictic breccia. Common examples include basalt breccia, granite breccia and limestone breccia.
Other Rock Types
The use of the term breccia can sometimes be confusing. Although it is normally used to describe sedimentary rock -- rock formed from sediments laid down at the bottom of the sea, rivers and lakes over millions of years -- it may also be used for other types of rock.
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