Raven Run Sinkhole EarthCache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(not chosen)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This Earthcache is located on the Green Trail at the Raven Run
Nature Sanctuary in Lexington, Kentucky. Raven Run is a Lexington
City Park and daily hours vary by season. Please stay on the marked
trails.
This EC is located on the Green Trail northeast of the Raven Run
Nature Center. Be sure to log in on the hiking log at the Nature
Center prior to heading out on the trails and grab a trail map from
the box above the log book. From the Nature Center head North then
turn right (East) on the Green Trail. The posted coordinates will
take you to a sinkhole next to the trail.
Kentucky’s terrain is dotted with sinkholes like this one, most of
which are a result of the Commonwealth’s world famous karst
topography. Karst is a type of landscape characterized by tunnels,
caves and sinkholes which are formed by groundwater dissolving soft
sedimentary rock such as limestone. Water penetrates and dissolves
the limestone creating fissures which are further widened by the
increased water flow creating larger spaces in the rock. This
sinkhole is located in what is referred to as the “inner bluegrass
karst area” which is considered an area of high potential for
karst.
Raven Run Sink Hole
Sinkholes can range in size from quite small to very large and are
often formed by collapsing caves below. Once formed, sinkholes
serve as collection points for surface water runoff which is then
funneled into the groundwater table. Due to the ease at which
surface runoff penetrates into the groundwater table in karst
areas, they are considered very susceptible to pollution.
To log this Earthcache you must post a picture of yourself or your
team (I don’t accept pictures of hands) with this sinkhole in the
background. Please don’t log the smiley until you have a picture
READY TO POST and email me the answers to the following
questions:
1. Estimate the length, width and depth of this small
sinkhole.
2. Why are karst areas especially susceptible to pollution?
Pictures must be posted and you must answer the questions to get
credit for the cache. Photos must include faces, not just hands. If
these requirements are not met, your log may be deleted. I am no
geologist. Information for this Earthcache was gathered from books
and internet sources that are available to the general
public.
WH1266FD at the Raven Run Sink Hole
Check out other caches in this park!
Sources:
http://www.cancaver.ca/docs/karst.htm
http://www.watersheds.org/earth/karst.htm
http://www.uky.edu/KGS/water/general/karst/where_karst.htm
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=38b4cf51-5a03-40f5-be15-f99c153bda9c
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)