The Arches EarthCache
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Ancient limestone carved by thousands of years of pounding surf
have created the Arches. This natural rock formation is located in
Arches Provincial Park along the Viking Trail just north of Parsons
Pond, Newfoundland.
The Arches showcase a geological formation that has been in
development for millions of years and that continues to slowly
change and erode. Originally a mountainous region, these mountains
were gradually worn down over over hundreds of millions of years by
wave, stream and wind action. During the past 1 to 2 million years
the area was subjected to glacial episodes, as huge glaciers and
ice caps overrode the site and further eroded and sculpted the
bedrock surface. About 8,000 years ago, after the glaciers melted,
this area was covered by varying depths of sea water. Sea levels
gradually receded and when sea level was slightly above its present
level, wave action eroded and excavated zones of weakness in the
rock, creating caves.
Pounding waves, the banging of cobbles, trapped/compressed air and
frost action within the caves continued to erode the weakened
limestone breccia until the sea broke through the limestone and
formed what is currently The Arches. To log this earthcache as a
find, please send an email that includes your answers to the
following: 1)The Arches showcase a geological formation formed over
millions of years, as a result of what? and 2) In the future, The
Arches will probably be reduced to what? Feel free to post a photo
of you or your GPSr near The Arches. Please do not include answers
to the above questions in your post. Answers to the above questions
are available from posted documentation at the earthcache site.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)