California's Gibraltar: Morro Rock

The quiet town of Morro Bay's main landmark is an extinct volcano!
+++ Like what I do? Please consider supporting me on Ko-Fi!
ko-fi.com/bettergeology
Morro Bay is a quiet fishing and vacation town on the California coast. It is situated near some of California's most spectacular coastline, wineries, and historic sites. It is dominated by a huge rock - Morro Rock - which makes Morro Bay a memorable spot. Morro Rock is an extinct volcano: part of one, at least. 22-25 million years ago, a string of volcanoes began erupting from modern day San Luis Obispo to Morro Rock. The Nine Sisters, as they're known now, are the intrusive roots of those long-dead volcanoes which now tower above the landscape. These are the hardened plugs of magma which solidified inside and below the body of the volcano, and the landscape slowly eroded away to leave these roots standing above all else.

[@joraiders8o594]

My people the Salinan tribe hike up the Morro Rock every Summer and Winter Solstice. You should come by this winter.

[@lohphat]

"Mixed" is a better translation of "mélange" than yet another French word "ménagerie" which refers to an assortment of living creatures.

[@AlexsMemeDump]

I can tell a ton of time, and heart went into this. Even the small detail like using background footage and ambient noise for the TH-cam title cards after your outro. Some channels with 500x the subscribers don't bother to consider that. Cheers man

[@sparkyofsocal]

All these years I thought it was just a big rock that girls always wanted to see on a date.

[@joraiders8o594]

I learned alot from this video, but You forgot to mention that the Morro Rock "LESAMO" started with the Salinan Tribe. We are the only ones that now can ascend the rock.

[@gruweldaad]

Central coast realness

[@elpuerco6059]

Gibraltar of the Pacific? Honestly, you've gone too far!

[@TheodoreJudah]

Fun fact: One of the early pieces of concept art Ralph McQuarrie did for the original Star Wars featured and early version of R2 and C-3PO in the desert in front of a huge rock formation. That rock is Morro rock. Check it out.

[@geologicallyspeaking]

Well done! Great presentation! Love the visuals.

[@jstwntmusic]

Thank you !!

[@stevep5736]

Outstanding video!

[@WLK1965]

Every time I see a unique geological structure, I always research it. Great job explaining the origin of Morro Rock. I will have to see what other videos you have posted. Keep up the good work!

[@jankijan8004]

Very nice documentary Andrew. Thank you for introducing us to the Morro Rock, I'm visiting there tomorrow with family. Appreciate the time you took to explain the origins and significance of the Morro Rock. Wishing you the best my friend!

[@donnacreamer4123]

My uncle Bruce was the last person to climb Morro Rock before it was fenced off. He was actually the catalyst for the fence being erected. He had climbed up just passing the halfway point when he slipped and fell all the way down. It almost killed him and the authorities didn’t want anyone else making that same mistake.

[@danielsmith9814]

Thank you for the informative post!

[@WindDancer435]

This is the first I have heard of this and came here to get more info because it is being turned into a sanctuary. Thank you for this.

[@Duhfectz]

Thanks Andrew! Appreciate the informative videos.

[@billmcmillan7735]

Very enlightening thank you!

[@1234j]

Great information, great graphics and great presentation! Thank you from England.

[@larry8lo]

Geologically Speaking sent me here. Glad to find a California geology channel! Cheers!