This is the third in a series of geology-themed geocaches. The geocache is hidden in a small Rubbermaid Tupperware container and wrapped in a black plastic bag. A log book, Reno hotel key from taken from the Rhody Rhide geocache, a hide-a-key, and toys are included in the geocache. GPS reception and accuracy was poor on the day I hid the cache.
The geocache is hidden near a landslide that has been mettlesome for Western Washington University. The site displays the typical features of a landslide such as:
1) “Drunken trees” that are either fallen over or leaning due to the recent movement.
2) A lobe at the toe of the slope where the earth mass has encroached on the side walk and road way.
3) A head scarp located on the uphill side of the slide mass.
The slide continues to pose a problem because University’s response to the slide movement is to cut away the toe of the slope as it encroaches the road. However, removing the toe of the slope reduces one of the resisting forces that hold the rest of the slide mass back. The cycle continues: the toe of the slope is cut, the slide mass moves down hill onto the sidewalk and roadway, necessitating the toe of the slope to be cut, ad infinitum…
While on campus at the University be sure to check out the outdoor art exhibits and sculptures. Many of them are excellent and worth a look.
-Bellinghamster
For more information about landslides see:
Washington DGER: www.wa.gov/dnr/htdocs/ger/landslid.htm
USGS: http://www.geohazards.cr.usgs.gov