Marble(s) Anyone (Earthcache) EarthCache
Marble(s) Anyone (Earthcache)
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The earthcache is located in the Oregon Ridge Nature Center and Park. The cache will take you on a short walk on a paved trail that is handicap accessible. You should begin your search at the trail head located at N39.29.639 and W076.41.505.
This cache has been approved by the Geological Society of America.
Oregon Ridge Nature Center History
On land that is now Oregon Ridge Nature Center property, there was a very active iron ore and marble mining operation during the mid-19th century. In order to process the iron ore efficiently and profitably, entrepreneurs built an iron-smelting furnace along Oregon Branch stream. The furnace operated from 1844 to 1858, and produced at its peak production 4,500 tons of pig iron annually. An industrial village developed at the edges of the present day meadow just to the north of what is now the Nature Center. Workers lived in tenant houses (one of which has been reconstructed) conveniently located near the ore and marble pits and furnace complex. Many of the workers were Irish immigrants or emancipated slaves. Such towns as Oregon Ridge were common in the industrial northeast United States by the mid-19th century.
Over millions of years, continents repeatedly collided resulting in catastrophic geologic upheavels, burying limestone formations deep within the earth. Limestone will become marble when certain features with the earth act upon it.
The marble that was mined at this site was then used at the nearby Oregon Furnace town.
In order to claim this cache as a find you will have to answer the following questions and email me the answers.
1 - When the marble was used in the nearby furnace it became molten. This molten marble was known as what?
2 - Name three iron ore impurities that the molten marble removed?
3 - The impurities that were removed and carried away were in the form of what?
4 - Give a brief description of how the marble was mined.
5 - Limestone was turned into marble by what two forces.
NOTE::::You must also post a picture of yourself with your GPS in front of the marble pit with your log. Be sure to include the trees directly above the pit in your picture.
While you are finding the answers to claim this cache, you can also complete a second earthcache called "Pig Iron" that is also located on the grounds of Oregon Ridge Nature Center.
LINK TO: "Pig Iron"
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Additional Hints
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