Babler Springs EarthCache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(not chosen)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This spring is located at Babler State Park in the St. Louis area. Parking is available nearby the tennis courts and the hike is short over level ground to the spring. You can also take the Dogwood Trail for a nice hike that goes near the spring too.
Missouri is known as the cave state due to its extensive karst topography, especially in the Ozark portion of the state. Karst topography is shaped by the effects of water on soluble rock, typically limestone in this area. This leads to the formation of caves, sinkholes, springs, losing streams and natural bridges. A few definitions:
· Spring – where groundwater comes out of the ground
· Cave – an air-filled void large enough for man to examine
· Sinkhole – a collapsed portion of bedrock over a void
· Losing stream – where water flows directly into the ground
· Natural bridge – a void beneath still standing bedrock
Missouri is well suited for the development of karst topography. There is plenty of soluble, carbonate limestone bedrock and enough rain each year to allow for dissolution of the limestone. Rain as it falls reacts with carbon dioxide to form some carbonic acid, which acidifies the rainwater. This rainwater filters through cracks and dissolves the limestone as it passes.
The Missouri Ozark region has been considered a nearly textbook example of karst topography. But the Missouri Ozark region is not the only location in Missouri to see karst topography. This earthcache is such an example located at Babler Park. This location is an example of a spring emerging from the side of a hill exiting through a cave. Please be respectful of this location and do not enter the cave itself as it is small and against park rules.
Logging Requirements
To log this cache you will need to e-mail me the following information. Please include the name of the earthcache is your e-mail: 1. What is the height of the cave opening?
2. What is the cave opening made out of?
3. What is growing on the face of the cave opening? Can you explain why this grows in this environment?
OPTIONAL. Post a picture of you and your group at the bridge near the spring with your log. Don’t post a picture of the spring as it will help answer the above questions!
You can log the cache immediately as I will only contact you if there is a problem.
EarthCache placed by a Platinum EarthCache Master.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)