Landscapes of Power EarthCache
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This site at the side of the highway gives a great place to view two of the chief points of interest in the northern part of the Green River Basin: the Boars Tusk and the Killpecker Sand Dunes.
The Boars Tusk is located in the Leucite Hills Volcanic Field north of Rock Springs. It is a volcanic neck (the core of an eroded volcano), which rises 400 feet above the Killpecker Valley floor. It is one of the Leucite Hills lamproites, and is composed chiefly of agglomerate and tuff.
The Killpecker Sand Dunes are the largest active dune field in North America. These “living” dunes are constantly moving across the Killpecker Valley floor and are easy to see, since the active sand does not support vegetation. The dunes are about 80 miles long, east to west, although never getting much more than 3 miles wide, north to south. Some of the dunes in the center of the dune field measure tens of feet in height.
In order to log this Earthcache, do the following: Using the information given at the site, send me an email stating how long ago the volcano existed that created the Boars Tusk, and how long ago the sands began accumulating in the Killpecker Dune Field.
Additionally, take a picture with you and your GPS receiver to the northeast of this sign. Post your picture with your log when you log your find.
The above information was compiled from the following sources:
Informational sign at site.
Hausel, W.D. 2006. Geology and Geochemistry of the Leucite Hills Volcanic Field. Wyoming State Geological Survey Report of Investigations No. 56.
BLM. Rock Springs Field Office. (visit link)
Rock Springs, Wyoming. (visit link)
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