The Great Lake EarthCache
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The mighty Lake Victoria, that spans three countries. This cache is located on the main highway from Entebbe International Airport to the capital, Kampala. The road touches the shore at this point and is easily accessible 24/7/365.
Lake Victoria (named for the 18th Century English monarch), is the largest lake in Africa. It is also the second largest fresh-water lake in the world (excluding the Huron/Michigan complex). It was formed some 400,000 years ago, when westward-flowing rivers were dammed by an upthrown crustal block. The lake's shallowness, limited river inflow, and large surface area relative to its volume make it vulnerable to climate changes. Cores taken from its bottom show that Lake Victoria has dried up completely three times since it formed. These drying cycles are probably related to past ice ages, which are times when precipitation declined globally. The lake last dried out 17,300 years ago, and filled again beginning 14,700 years ago.
The level of the lake has also dropped dramatically in the past few years with man allowing an excess of water to drain out in order to generate hydro-electric power. One of the lowest levels in modern history was measured in 2006.
The Lake lies between the two major “legs” of the Great Rift Valley. It is one of the reasons why other lakes in the region are so much deeper. Nearby Lake Tanganyika is the second deepest lake in the world.
The outflow of Lake Victoria in Jinja has historically been considered the source of the Nile River. This is however in dispute with the Rwandans who claim the source of Lake Victoria South West of this spot is the true source of the Nile. There is a related Earthcache in Jinja.
In order to qualify to log this cache, you need to answer the following questions and s=email the cache owner. Any logs not accompanied by an email will be deleted.
1) Take a photo of you and your GPSr at this spot next to the Lake and include in your log. [Optional]
2) How many kilometers from here to the Entebbe Airport (made famous by an Israeli commando hostage rescue in the 1970’s) - this can be seen on the "milestone" at cache site?
3) What is the difference between a Lake and a Dam?
4) Which 3 countries does Lake Victoria lie in?
5) List a few effects that climate change could have on the Lake and the associated impacts on the region/environment.
6) Look at the lake itself and see if you can see the effects that man is having on this area. Are they positive or negative? Please list a few in your answer.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Erzrzore gb fraq lbhe rznvy!
Treasures
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