Fractured Coastline EarthCache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(other)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Directions to the site:
Take HWY 101. West on Klamath Beach Rd. Follow that road until it
turns into Coastal Dr. Turn right at the "High Bluff Overlook" sign
and drive to designated parking location.
At the posted coordinates is an excellent example of plate tectonics at work along the Northern California Coast.
Plate tectonics describes the large scale motions of Earth's lithosphere. The planet's crust is composed of numerous plates, which are moving steadily in relation to one another. This movement is responsible for such phenomena as earthquakes, formation of mountains, and volcanoes. Plate tectonics works in conjunction with several other concepts, including continental drift and seafloor spreading.
The lithosphere is the Earth's crust and the portion of the upper mantle. Tectonism is the deformation of the lithosphere. Tectonics refers to the study of this deformation, including its causes and effects, most notably mountain building. This deformation is the result of the release and redistribution of energy from Earth's core.
The interior of Earth itself is divided into three major sections: crust, mantle, and core.
Tectonism results from the release and redistribution of energy from the Earth's interior. There are two components of this energy: gravity and heat from radioactive decay. Differences in mass and heat within the planet's interior (pressure gradients) result in the deformation of rocks.
Objects deform under stress, and stress takes on many forms, including compression, shear, and tension. Under the effects of these stresses, rocks may bend, slide, warp, or break. They may even melt and liquify. As a result, Earth's interior may manifest faults/fractures in rocks, as well as folds, or bends in the rock structure. The effects of this activity can be seen on the surface in the form of subsidence (a depression in the crust) or uplift (raising of crustal materials). Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions may also result.
To log this as found, please e-mail me the answers to the following questions. Do not post the answers in your log. A picture of you with your GPS would be much appreciated but not required.
Questions:
What are the 3 visible signs that the Earth is moving?
What are the 3 sediments deposited on the ocean floor (listed on the center of the sign)?
What tectonic plate does the sign reference and which direction is it moving?
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)