An erratic is a piece of rock that has been eroded and transported
by a glacier to a different area; it is left behind when the ice
melts. Glacial erratics give us information about the direction of
ice movement and distances of transport. Glacial erratics can be
any size from small pebbles to large boulders the size of a house.
Geologists identify erratics by studying the rocks surrounding the
position of the erratic and the composition of the erratic itself.
Erratics were once considered evidence of a massive flood
approximately 10,000 years ago, similar to the legendary floods
described in the texts of ancient civilizations throughout the
world. In the 19th Century, many scientists came to favor erratics
as evidence for the end of the last glacial maximum (ice age)
10,000 years ago, rather than a flood.
Geologists have suggested that landslides or rockfalls initially
dropped the rocks on top of glacial ice. The glaciers continued to
move, carrying the rocks with them. When the ice melted, the
erratics were left in their present locations.
To claim
the earthcache you must send me the answers to these 4
questions:
Question #1: What is the estimated height of this erratic?
Question #2: What is the estimated length of this erratic?
Question #3: What is the estimated width of this erratic?
Question #4: What was the name of the glaicer that covered most
of Newfoundland and Labador?
Please post a picture of you and/or your GPS with The Erratic in
the background.
You do not
need to wait for confirmiation from me before posting online.
However, any logs that do not fulfill ALL requirements will be
deleted.