SPRING HAS SPRUNG EARTHCACHE EarthCache
SPRING HAS SPRUNG EARTHCACHE
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Most of the Midlands is built on deep layers of sandstone and springs are relatively rare occurrences. However, there are several in Solihull and a couple of these help to feed the stream that flows into the Mill Pool at Priory Fields Nature Reserve.
Priory Fields is a Nature Reserve which has open access to the general public and sufferes from litter-dropping. Warwickshire Wildlife Trust who manage the reserve have given permission for a litter-picking CITO event to be held on 31st May 2008 in the reserve and this provided the idea for this simple Earthcache.
Ground water is found mostly in permeable rocks such as limestone, sandstone and in soil. Sometimes these rest on impermeable clays and the ground water in the derived soils is held up by the clay and cannot seep to lower layers. Where the clay is tilted from the horizontal there is a natural tendency for this ground water to flow downhill and seep out at the edge of the unconformity. If the slope is gentle there will be a belt of ground which is wet and sticky (in all but the driest weather) but if the slope of the impermeable layer is greater, a ‘spring’ or up-welling of water is likely to be found at the lowest point.
The spring at Priory Fields is of the former type and standing water starts to be visible emerging from under the wooden boardwalk that has been created for pedestrians. However, in reality the whole grassy area to the north is usually saturated with water and if you try and head in this direction you will soon find yourself sinking into the ground with water coming up over your shoes. Most springs in England are of this simple type and they often dry up during or after lengthy dry spells, especially if the area from which they derive their water supply is small. Perhaps this is the reason that the more famous springs and sink holes (where a river suddenly disappears underground) are found in the limestone valleys and plateaux of the Pennines and Yorkshire Dales where the catchment area is large and rainfall is high.
To log this Earthcache you will need special equipment - a thermometer or waterproof watch that has a temperature function – for you have to e mail to tell me:-
a) the water temperature
b) the air temperature &
c) the direction in which the water flows at the co-ordinates (from 001 to 360 degrees from your GPS)
You will also need Wellingtons or stout boots as the area can be VERY boggy and if you are to prove you are the ‘First, Second or Third to Find’ on the day of the ‘Clean Up’ event you'll have to venture off the boardwalk nearby.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Gb trg yvggyr SGS,FGS & GGS 'syntf' jnyx gur cynaxf gb gur yhzc bs pbapergr jvgu erznvaf bs n cbfg va gur prager
Treasures
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