Chesterfield Glacial Potholes Earthcache EarthCache
Chesterfield Glacial Potholes Earthcache
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Welcome to the scenic Chesterfield Gorge. For this earthcache, you’ll learn about and see glacial potholes. This is an easy earthcache that is a short, fairly level walk from the parking lot.
Chesterfield Gorge is located off of Route 143 in Chesterfield, Massachusetts. The property, owned by The Trustees of Reservations, occupies 166 acres of forest around the Westfield River, attracting sightseers, picnickers, fishers, cross-country skiers, hikers, cyclists, and photographers. The gorge is open from 8am to sunset, April 1 to December 1. Admission: members of The Trustees of Reservations and children under 12 are free. Nonmembers and adults (anyone 12 and over): $2.50. Fees collected by the ranger. When the ranger is not on duty, the honor system applies.
This area was formed half a billion years ago when the rock rose from the ancient seabed. After the retreat of the glaciers around 15,000 years ago, the meltwater caused what became the Westfield River to slowly erode the rock, forming the gorge over thousands of years. This erosion is still taking place today.
Glacial potholes, also referred to as “bowls” (because that’s what they pretty much look like), are carved into the riverbed rock over the course of thousands of years. Rocks get caught in the swirling motion of specific parts of the river and end up wearing an indentation in the rock of the riverbed. Eventually, the “carving rock”, so to speak, gets stuck inside the indentation and continues to carve out the pothole. As long as the smaller rock is stuck inside and water continues to flow over the pothole, it will continue to erode.
The coordinates for this earthcache will bring you to an observation area a short walk from the parking lot. From the coordinates, you will be able to safely see the potholes below, and answer the questions. For no reason should you attempt to go into the gorge.
For a bit of history, look to the left of the potholes. You’ll see a stone bridge support. This bridge was built before the Revolutionary War and was an important part of the stage route between Albany and Boston. The view from that bridge must have been amazing. In the mid-1800s, the bridge, and many local homes, were washed away during a flood, demonstrating the short-term power of a river’s erosive abilities.
To get credit for this earthcache, look down and across to the far bank of the river and email the answers to the following questions to me:
How many potholes do you see?
There is a large, flat, triangle-shaped rock with a glacial pothole to the right of it. How wide do you estimate the glacial pothole to be?
Take a picture of yourself (or GPSr) with the potholes in the background and post it.
To answer this historical question, please refer to the Chesterfield Gorge Trail Map & Guide:
Which famous general crossed the bridge in 1835?
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)