Coupeville Erratic EarthCache
Hidden : 5/12/2008
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:


A glacial erratic, as defined by Wikipedia, is a piece of rock that deviates from the size and type of rock native to the area in which it rests; the name "erratic" is based on the errant location of these boulders. These rocks were carried to their current locations by glacial ice, often over hundreds of kilometres. Erratics can range in size from pebbles to large boulders.

Geologists identify erratics by studying the rocks surrounding the position of the erratic and the composition of the erratic itself. Erratics were once considered evidence of a massive flood approximately 10,000 years ago, similar to the legendary floods described in the texts of ancient civilizations throughout the world. Ancient legends of an epic flood come from many cultures, but in the 19th century, many scientists came to favor erratics as evidence for the end of the ice age 10,000 years ago, rather than a flood. Geologists have suggested that landslides or rockfalls initially dropped the rocks on top of glacial ice. The glaciers continued to move, carrying the rocks with them. When the ice melted, the erratics were left in their present locations.

This greenstone erratic was “excavated” from Mt. Erie 40 km to the north and is one of the more famous glacial field boulders on Whidbey Island. This big rock is known to geologists as the Coupeville Erratic.



Big Rock is located on private property and the family that owns the rock and the small yard adjacent to the rock have grown tired of teenagers and their midnight pranks. Their liability concerns are not unfounded and in an effort to discourage people from climbing the rock they have placed No Tresspassing signs on the perimeter of the property. So, if you aren’t permitted to get close to the rock, how are you expected to log this earthcache? Good question, I’ll explain.

Sharing a fenceline with Big Rock is Miriam’s Espresso Cafe and Miriam has given us permission to use her parking area, you can snap the required photo there, at the posted coords. Of course, like geocaches Earthcaches can’t be commercial, but if you had fun finding this Earthcache stop in and thank Miriam for allowing us to use her parking spaces.

To log this earthcache, email to us, the answers to these two questions. Do not include these answers in your logs, either in the clear or encrypted.

1. Identify what glacier shaped the entire Puget Sound region during the last Ice Age.
2. Guesstimate the height and width of the rock.

And to prevent armchair logging, you must attach to your Found It log a picture of you and/or your group at the posted coords with the rock in the background. Make sure and smile, I don’t care what kind of gps you use.

Both parts are required, and you need not wait for a reply from me before logging, but logs without the proper email and/or pics will be deleted.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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