This cache is located on the Quarry Trail (red blazes; .5 mile;
20 minutes). Geology buffs will love the outcrops of many varied
rocks and minerals found in our quarry. The quarry is also a great
area to observe ravens and raptors. The quarry pools, including a
larger pond, are important amphibian mating places filled with
toads, frogs, and newts. Access is from the Nature Trail.
Historical Background
This unique section of the Strawberry Hill property was
previously used for mining purposes. A local resident, Mr. George
O. Mickley, was the first to begin mining here. His family owned
the quarry land from 1907 until 1965, when it was purchased by the
commercial corporation, Gross Minerals Corp. This corporation
strip-mined 6,000 to 10,000 tons of Phyllite annually.
In the year 2000, the quarry site, including a total of 81 acres
of land, was purchased from Gross Minerals Corp. by the Strawberry
Hill Foundation. Since that time, the land has been reclaimed
through a process of re-vegetation and soil maintenance. Plants
that were reseeded included: two species of panic grass, woolgrass,
white goldenrod, soft rush, purple top and grass leaved
goldenrod.
Phyllite is from scientific Latin and means "leaf-stone."
Phyllite is a medium-gray stone, but here sunlight reflects
blindingly off its finely wavy face. Phyllite is one step beyond
slate in the chain of metamorphism. Whereas slate has a light sheen
from tiny grains of mica, graphite, chlorite and similar minerals,
phyllite fairly glitters because with further heat and pressure,
the reflective grains grow more abundant and join each other. And
whereas slate usually breaks in very flat sheets, phyllite tends to
have a corrugated cleavage. This rock has nearly all of its
original sedimentary structure erased, although some of its clay
minerals persist. Further metamorphism will convert all of the
clays into micas, along with quartz and feldspar. At that point,
phyllite becomes schist.
The first picture shows the slate rock formations where the
second picture (below) the Schist outcrop is clearly visible.
Today’s Quarry
As you walk around, please note the rock formations which are
composed exclusively of layered sedimentary rocks. These include
limestone, dolomite, sandstone and shale, amongst others and still
contain many small elements of the Phyllite.
In addition to the fascinating geology of the quarry, this area
is interesting to explore for other aspects of natural history. The
quarry pools are the best amphibian breeding places on Strawberry
Hill’s property. Starting in March, the smaller, shallower pools
(the first to warm up) are filled with amorous spring peepers and
wood frogs. Some nights, their calls can be deafening. Soon the
frogs are joined in the pools by American toads. After all these
animals successfully mate, the pools are filled with thousands of
tadpoles. Another interesting amphibian found here is the
red-spotted newt. These can be readily seen in the largest of the
pools. They are born in the water, and then leave the water for a
few years to live in the forest where they are known as red efts.
Finally, they return to the water as fully mature adults to mate
and live the remainder of their lives.
We have been told that the quarry pools are the best remaining
habitat for newts in Adams County. Look closely in the pools and
you may also spot water beetles, baby dragonflies and many other
small invertebrate animals. Fish have been introduced into the
largest pool. Presumably, their eggs were attached to the feet of
ducks or other birds. The rock ledge of the quarry is the best
habitat for snakes on Strawberry Hill’s property. On warm sunny
days, a variety of snakes may be found sunning themselves. Under
the rocks are a number of small ring-necked snakes. In the winter,
this is an ideal hibernation spot for both snakes and lizards (5
lined skinks are found here).
Because the quarry constitutes an edge habitat (blending of
forest and open space), many animals are attracted to this setting.
Since most of Strawberry Hill’s property is dense forest, this is a
unique habitat on our land. Birds that prefer the edge of the
forest, such as towhees, are often found here. At night, owls and
bats love to hunt over this open area. If you hear a croaking sound
from the sky there is a raven nearby. The raven is a bird of the
wilderness here in Pennsylvania. We are fortunate to have a nesting
pair not far from here on our property. In the mud around the
pools, animal tracks are often found, evidence of the many animals
that frequent this area. Look closely and you may find the prints
left by deer, raccoon and wild turkey. In short, the quarry is one
of the richest areas on Strawberry Hill’s property in terms of
species diversity. We are fortunate to be the stewards of such a
unique place.
In order to claim a find here you must locate the informative
plaque at this location and answer the below questions. Email your
responses to me. Please do not post the answers in your
online logs.
- What was the Phyllite processed into?
- Supply an example of what it was used for.
- Identify the metamorphism of rock formations, to the point that
Phylitte becomes Schist?