A moraine is formed as glaciers grow and retreat. Moraine may be
comprised of sand and silt known as glacial flour up to large
boulders. The debris is typically angular. Moraine may be on the
glacier’s surface or deposited as piles or sheets of debris
where the glacier has melted. Moraines fall into several categories
the one you are looking at here is a ground moraine.
Ground moraines are covered areas with irregular topography and no
ridges often forming gently rolling hills or plains. It is
accumulated under the ice by lodgment, but may also be deposited as
the glacier retreats. You will learn more about these formations as
we go along through this cache.
Moraines of Michigan are largely a result of the activities of the
extensive glaciers of the Pleistocene period. This period was from
about 2 million years ago until 10,000 years ago. There were
several stages of ice advance and retreat. The entire Pleistocene
period covered about 2 million years, but it was the most recent
ice advances during the Wisconsin stage that, by and large,
sculptured the current Michigan landscape. As the ice moved south,
it leveled off the existing hills, filled in valleys with deposits
like the moraine here. The deposits are generally fertile, with
soils that are predominately clay loams and sandy loams.
The co-ords will take you to a very nice view of a moraine. As you
come to this area there are a few things that you need know.
Michigan like all other lands that were covered with glaciers is
covered in moraines. So you have seen many of these around this
state. What is important here is that you will be finding out much
more about this one came to be here. You will also see how moraines
support many other geological formations before you complete this
cache.
To complete this cache you will be taking a walk to different
points that will give you the information about moraines. After
collecting this information you will not be posting them but rather
e-mailing me with them.
1. At the posted co-ords you will find a sign pertaining to the
moraine that you are on. From the sign report to me what makes up
the moraine, and what is the depth of the moraine, or glacial drift
here.
2. What is the bedrock here and how was it formed.
3. Optional; Go to N42 45.585 W083 04.894, at this point take a
picture and post it with your log. The photo should be of you with
the hills of the moraine in the background.
This Earthcache has been placed with permission of the
Huron-Clinton Metroparks.
This cache is located within Stony Creek Metropark, a part of
the
Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority park system. A Metropark
Vehicle Entry Permit is required:
Annual Permit $25, Senior Permit $15, Daily Permit $5. For general
information please call
1-800-47-PARKS, or visit our website at www.metroparks.com All park
rules and regulations apply.
Park in parking lots only. Check the Metroparks website for park
hours.
Be sure to e-mail me within 7 days of logging the cache to
get credit for your work. If the rules of finding an Earthcache and
e-mailing the owner is not followed your log will be deleted
without notice!