| Nine Sisters | |
| Other Name: | Los Morros |
| Country Type: | Countries |
| Subdivision1 Type: | State |
| Subdivision1: | California |
| Length Orientation: | WNW–ESE |
| Highest: | Bishop Peak |
| Elevation M: | 475 |
| Coordinates: | 35.3025°N -120.6974°W |
| Coordinates Ref: | [1] |
| Geology: | Volcanic plugs |
| Age: | 20–25 mya (Late Oligocene to Early Miocene) |
The Nine Sisters or the Morros are a chain of twenty-three, although typically only nine are included, volcanic mountains and hills in western San Luis Obispo County, Southern California. They run between Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo.
The peaks were created more than 20 million years ago during the Miocene Epoch of the Neogene Period, as volcanic plugs of magma which welled up and solidified inside softer rock which has since eroded away. Every plug, with the exception of just two, formed in a nearly straight line.
Two of the plugs are in Morro Bay State Park. The highest is Bishop Peak at 1559feet.
The peaks in order from Morro Bay to San Luis Obispo, including their height, a sortable table.
| Name | data-sort-type="number" | Height ft (m) |
|---|---|---|
| 5760NaN0 | ||
| 6650NaN0 | ||
| 9110NaN0 | ||
| 14040NaN0 | ||
| 13060NaN0 | ||
| 12570NaN0 | ||
| Bishop Peak | 15590NaN0 | |
| Cerro San Luis Obispo | 12920NaN0 | |
| Islay Hill | 7750NaN0 |
The Nine Sisters are a chain of volcanic plugs composed predominantly of dacite. About 20 to 25 million years ago, magma welled up underneath a layer of softer rock and solidified. The softer overlying rock has since eroded away, leaving a distinct rugged shape.[2]
The Nine Sisters, being less accessible to human intrusions, support a wide variety of Coastal sage scrub and California oak woodlands flora, and of birds and other fauna.
Their volcanic origin makes them of significant geological interest. They are popular with photographers and rock climbers.