Engstrom Point EarthCache
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Palm Desert, CA lands in the valley surrounded by large mountains
formed in part from the San Andreas fault. Suggested parking is
near N33 42.438 W116 24.002.
Palm Desert is in the valley set near Mt. San Jacinto and other
mountain ranges in part created by the tectonic plates shifting to
fault activity in the area over years and years.
According to Wikipedia, "the outermost part of the Earth's
interior is made up of two layers: above is the lithosphere,
comprising the crust and the rigid uppermost part of the mantle.
Below the lithosphere lies the asthenosphere. Although solid, the
asthenosphere has relatively low viscosity and shear strength and
can flow like a liquid on geological time scales. The deeper mantle
below the asthenosphere is more rigid again. This is, however, not
because of cooler temperatures but due to high pressure.
The lithosphere is broken up into what are called tectonic plates
— in the case of Earth, there are seven major and many minor plates
(see list below). The lithospheric plates ride on the
asthenosphere. These plates move in relation to one another at one
of three types of plate boundaries: convergent or collision
boundaries, divergent or spreading boundaries, and transform
boundaries. Earthquakes, volcanic activity, mountain-building, and
oceanic trench formation occur along plate boundaries. The lateral
movement of the plates is typically at speeds of 5 - 10 cm/yr."
These shifts in plates, or plate tectonics cause mountains,
fissures, and other geolocial structures like those that you can
see from this location.
While hiking to a nearby cache I noticed this location and how
vast and different the area was from this view.
From the final coordinates you can see the differences from the
high hills on the left to the lower hills well also to your left.
You can also see various color differences in the valley below.
The other interesting items at this location are the gorgeous
desert bushes. Two common desert bushes are to your right.
Please include a picture next to the sign at the
final coords or of your GPS at the final coords!
Enjoy the view and surrounding foliage!
Please answer the following questions:
1. The upper hills to your left are what color? What kind of rock
do they appear to be?
2. The lower hill to your right is what color? What kind of rock
does it appear to be? Can you name it specifically?
3. There are to common desert bushes to you right. What are their
names, either their scientific name or their common name?
4. Please name the famous fault nearby that helped to create these
wonderful mountain ranges?
5. At the coords given there are two man made structures next to
you - what are they?
Additional Hints
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Treasures
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